Jennifer Anderson '88 Wins Nevins Dissertation Prize
Jennifer Anderson '88 has won the 2007 Allan Nevins Prize for the best-written dissertation in American History; the prize is awarded by the the Society of American Historians. Founded in 1939, promotes literary distinction in historical writing.
Anderson's dissertation, "Nature’s Currency: The Atlantic Mahogany Trade, 1725-1825," was completed in fulfillment of her Ph.D. in history from New York University.
The prize jury described the work as, “elegantly written, deeply and indefatigably researched, and overall breaking new ground in our understanding of the complex interplay among slaves, proprietors in mahogany producing regions, and consumers in the Atlantic world. …It is rare to have a densely-researched monograph so deftly integrate economic, labor and cultural history into a fascinating global portrait of interlocking human experience.”
In accepting the prize, Anderson mentioned her Barnard education, and recognized her undergraduate adviser, Professor Herb Sloan, “a wonderful mentor.” “He helped me to hone both my analytical and writing skills as he shepherded me through the process of researching my thesis. His meticulous comments—typed up on his seemingly ancient typewriter—were always thought-provoking.”
Jennifer Anderson will start as a professor of history at Stonybrook University this fall. Her dissertation is slated for publication by one of the publisher-members of the Society and will be considered for adoption by the History Book Club.
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