History 200 Book Prizes Awarded
On May 7, 2013, Hi 200 Professors Arianne Chernock and Diana Wylie (who taught with a jointly developed syllabus) awarded book prizes for outstanding final projects in their sections at a gala ceremony in Room 304. The first recipient, Joseph Beebe, won for “Pinpointing the Success of Theodore Roosevelt, the Candidate.” In this remarkable research guide, Beebe uses the Theodore Roosevelt collection at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center to make some astute and timely observations about the origins of modern political campaigns. By carefully analyzing Roosevelt’s mass-produced election pins from 1900-1912– the images chosen, slogans adopted, and graphics employed – Joseph convincingly demonstrates that this collection could be used to show a key shift in the way that politicians “ran” (as opposed to “stood”) for office. As Joseph shows, TR made “personality” the centerpiece of his campaigning, using his own character to transcend political party and ideology. TR was also the first perpetual presidential campaigner, always running for office. The election pins capture these developments, and provide a clear window into the formation of contemporary American political culture.
Katie Angelica won the other HI 200 prize for an essay entitled “The Immeasurable Impact of an Individual: an overview of the Nora Saltonstall Papers and Photographic Collection.” To complete this project, Katie read deeply in and widely around this archive located at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Nora Saltonstall was a privileged Bostonian who volunteered to serve the Allied war effort in France during World War One. Katie concludes, Nora’s “determination, her intelligence, and her strength reflect the changing roles of women in the early twentieth century.” In recognition of Katie Angelica’s own determination and intelligence, the history department is pleased to present her with the prize.