Professor David Gleeson Appointed to Organization of American Historian's Distinguished Lecturers Programme

The Organization of American Historians (OAH) has appointed Professor David Gleeson as one of its Distinguished Lecturers, a high honour in the history profession.  Launched in 1981, the OAH’s Distinguished Lecturers programme is a speakers bureau, described by the OAH as “dedicated to American history,” and serving as a “reliable, and easy-to-use resource for identifying and contacting leading historians who can share their expertise with your audience.” The OAH, established in 1907, “is the largest professional society dedicated to the teaching and study of American history. The mission of the organization is to promote excellence in the scholarship, teaching, and presentation of American history, and to encourage wide discussion of historical questions and the equitable treatment of all practitioners of history.” Scholars appointed to the selective Distinguished Lecturers programme “speak around the country every year, not only visiting college campuses and addressing undergraduate and graduate student conferences but also leading teacher seminars and engaging general audiences at public events sponsored by historical societies, museums, libraries, and humanities councils.”

David is part of a 2015-16 cohort of 47 respected and accomplished scholars and teachers from the United States, Canada, and England.  He is only one of two from England in the current class.  David’s lectures include: “The Green and the Gray: The Irish in the Confederate States of America”; “The Hidden Diaspora: The English in the United States, 1783–1914”; and “Did the Irish ‘Become White’?”  "I'm delighted to be taking part in this programme," said David, "and I look forward to delivering lectures on my research and teaching in the states."  "This recognition," he continued, "speaks to our department's strengths in American history and American studies." 

Indeed, Northumbria University now has three OAH Distinguished Lecturers.   Professor Brian Ward and Dr. Randall Stephens were appointed in previous years.  (In February Randall delivered one of his lectures at Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, titled: “The Devil’s Music: Race Rock and Religion in the 1950s.”) In Great Britain the only other university with three Distinguished Lecturers is Oxford University.  David’s appointment is a sure indicator of Northumbria University’s leading role in the study of the United States.