James Merrell facts for kids

James Hart Merrell, born in 1953 in Minnesota, is a well-known historian. He is now a retired history professor from Vassar College. Professor Merrell mostly studies early American history, especially the history of Native American people during the time when Europeans first settled in America. He is one of only five historians who have won the important Bancroft Prize two times!

Learning and School

James Merrell grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He went to Lawrence University for his first college degree. After that, he studied at Oxford University in England as a special student called a Rhodes Scholar. He earned his highest degree, a Ph.D., from Johns Hopkins University in 1982. A Ph.D. means he became an expert in his field.

His Work as a Historian

Before becoming a professor, Merrell was a special researcher, called a Fellow, at places like The Newberry Library in Chicago. He also worked at the Institute of Early American History and Culture in Williamsburg, Virginia. These places are important for studying American history. He also received special grants, called fellowships, from groups like the American Council of Learned Societies and the National Endowment for the Humanities. These grants helped him do his research.

Professor Merrell started teaching at Vassar College in 1984. He taught there for many years, helping students learn about history. For one school year, from 1998 to 1999, he was a professor at Northwestern University.

Awards and Achievements

James Merrell has won many important awards for his historical research and books. These awards show how much his work is valued by other historians.

• In 1991, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship. This is a special award given to people who are doing important work in their field.
• In 1990, he won the Frederick Jackson Turner Award for his book, The Indians' New World: Catawbas and their Neighbors from European Contact Through the Era of Removal. This book explored the history of the Catawba people.
• He also received the Merle Curti Award from the Organization of American Historians. This award is for the best book in American social, intellectual, or cultural history.
• He won the prestigious Bancroft Prize twice. This is one of the most important awards for books about American history.
  • He won in 1990 for The Indians' New World: Catawbas and Their Neighbors from European Contact through the Era of Removal.
  • He won again in 2000 for Into the American Woods: Negotiators on the Pennsylvania Frontier.
• His book, Into the American Woods: Negotiators on the Pennsylvania Frontier, was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. This means it was considered one of the very best history books of the year.