Historian Alum Awarded MacArthur “Genius Grant"
Scholar of the 19th century’s agricultural and political economy will receive $800K.
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History Professor Richard Bell has won the George Washington Prize for his book, “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World,” published in November 2025 by Penguin Random House.
Co-sponsored by Washington College, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the $50,000 prize recognizes the year’s best works on the nation’s founding era, especially those that have the potential to advance broad public understanding of American history.
Released on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World” reframes America’s founding conflict as a world war, fought across empires, oceans and everyday lives. Stretching from India, Africa, Central America and Australia to the colonies, the book grounds its narrative in the stories of individuals — including women, minorities and other disenfranchised people.
Bell called the award “the honor of my life.”
“I’m so grateful that this book, which was a joy to research and write, is finding such traction with readers across the country who are interested in learning more about America’s founding fight and its global reach and resonance,” he said.
Bell received the award Monday, Oct. 5, at a ceremony held at the Museum of the City of New York.
Link in bio to learn more.
📷: Reuben Kleiner
On Friday, ARHU Dean Stephanie Shonekan presented a seminar to the School of Music @terpsmusic:
Remain in Light: A Comparative Analysis of the albums of Talking Heads and Angélique Kidjo.
Tonight, we have the incredible opportunity to hear Dean Shonekan interview Angélique Kidjo live on stage at @theclariceumd The Clarice! They will talk about music, culture, language and humanitarianism, and the evening will include performances by UMD students which are inspired by Kidjo’s legacy.
Among her diverse repertoire of music, Angélique Kidjo reinterpreted the Talking Heads’ 1980 album, Remain in Light in 2018. Both Talking Heads and Kidjo were deeply influenced by the musical framework and intensity of Nigerian afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. While the two albums raise questions of interpretation and appropriation, they also invite an exploration of how the identities and socio-cultural contexts of the band from New York City and the African woman from the Republic of Benin produce different meanings across their respective albums.
Have you listened to both versions of Remain in Light? Give them a listen and let Dean Shonekan know what you think!
And join us tonight at 6:30!
Go.umd.edu/kidjo
As the Driskell Center celebrates its 25th anniversary, Neil and Juanita Hartbarger have made a planned gift that will create enduring support for the center’s collections.
Juanita first encountered African American art in college, discovering artists and stories she had never been taught. Years later, that interest became a shared passion with her husband, Neil.
As they immersed themselves in the Washington region’s arts community, they found themselves in the orbit of David C. Driskell, the renowned artist, scholar and Distinguished University Professor Emeritus.
“He saw that we cared, that we were interested, that we wanted to learn. He welcomed us,” Juanita said.
That grew into a decades-long friendship with David and Thelma Driskell and a lasting connection to the Driskell Center.
Now, their bequest represents their entire estate, including more than 50 works of art that will become part of the Driskell Center’s permanent collection. Named in honor of David and Thelma Driskell, the gift will also establish funds to support conservation, new acquisitions and staff expertise.
“If we are going to have any sort of legacy, we knew it had to be in support of something that’s had a significant impact on our lives,” Juanita said.
Read more at the link in bio.
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