Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., the George Washington University History Department is an intellectual community of faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and many associates and friends. With more than 40 full-time faculty, varied both in specialization and research methods, GW is an ideal place to study fields as diverse as modern Africa, early modern Europe, the history of colonialism and imperialism, modern America, and the Cold War.

Home to some of the most important research repositories and archives in the world, Washington is a unique and exciting place to study history. Studying history at GW provides students with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary for success in a wide range of careers and professions.

The History Department community mourns the death of Leo Ribuffo, professor of 20th century U.S. history. Leo was the author of The Old Christian Right: The Protestant Far Right from the Great Depression to the Cold War, which was awarded the 1985 Merle Curti Prize for best book in intellectual history by the Organization of American Historians. He also wrote Right Center Left: Essays in American History (1992) and many articles for scholarly and popular journals. At the time of his death, Leo was completing a biography of Jimmy Carter called The Limits of Moderation: Jimmy Carter and the Ironies of American Liberalism. Over the course of his 45-year-long career at GW, Leo taught courses on contemporary U.S. history and America social thought.  He was a challenging and memorable teacher to innumerable undergraduates and a revered mentor to dozens of graduate students. His intelligence, erudition, and sardonic wit will be deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues.

"It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that Professor Leo Ribuffo died unexpectedly on November 27. He had just returned from an intellectual history conference in Chicago that featured a special session on his contributions to the field. In Chicago he attended an opera—one of his favorite pastimes—with his good friend Mike Sherry whom he had known since his graduate student days at Yale. Leo had a talent for cultivating friends. He had a generous laugh that let people know he appreciated what they said. Leo was good company, who enjoyed  fine cigars from Cuba and the best sort of comfort food but who delighted most in conversations with his colleagues and friends. He was, of course, a mainstay of the GW History Department, leading its efforts in twentieth century American history for over forty years. He wrote award winning books but made his mark as a mentor to generations of graduate students. His graduate seminars captivated his students, many of whom chose Leo to direct their dissertations. He was as deeply read in the history literature as anyone, and he had a lightning quick mind capable of making connections that illuminated America history in perceptive and highly original ways. His death greatly diminishes the GW Department of History and the history profession more generally." - Professor Emeritus Ed Berkowitz

On October 10, Professor Denver Brunsman delivered the Trachtenberg Teaching Award Distinguished Lecture, titled "Teaching History With the Musical Hamilton," at the Textile Museum. The musical Hamilton is the most celebrated American cultural phenomenon of the early 21st century. It has also changed the teaching of history in classrooms across the country. In this presentation, Professor Brunsman shares his experience with using Hamilton in his classes at GW, particularly "George Washington and His World," taught annually at the Mount Vernon estate. By pairing George Washington with Alexander Hamilton, Professor Brunsman has helped to humanize both figures for students and highlighted previously neglected historical topics. The musical has opened critical questions about historical authorship, authenticity, and memory. In the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, it matters "who lives, who dies, who tells your story."

While the History Department does not take positions on matters of partisan politics, we are very insistent on matters of principle, including those enunciated in the University's Statement on Diversity and Inclusion: “Leveraging diversity is rarely achieved by accident. As individuals and as an institution, we must intentionally act to create the diverse and inclusive community that enables everyone to flourish. All members and units of the George Washington University community must advance the institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority.”  

I write now to affirm that statement and to assure you that the History Department remains dedicated to the principles of inclusiveness and tolerance; we see them as essential to the scholarly mission of the university.
 
If you have any particular concerns that you wish to bring to our attention, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I can be reached at [email protected].

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