Dan David Prize
@dandavidprize.org
The Dan David Prize recognizes outstanding scholarship that illuminates the past and seeks to anchor public discourse in a deeper understanding of history.
The rediscovery of the notebooks of John Wickins, Isaac Newton’s college roommate, paints a new picture of Newton as a collaborator and a friend, rather than a lone genius.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Dmitri Levitin researches early modern history & the history of knowledge.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Dmitri Levitin researches early modern history & the history of knowledge.
2025 Dan David Prize Winner Dmitri Levitin
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The rediscovery of the notebooks of John Wickins, Isaac Newton’s college roommate, paints a new picture of Newton as a collaborator and a friend, rather than a lone genius.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Dmitri Levitin researches early modern history & the history of knowledge.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Dmitri Levitin researches early modern history & the history of knowledge.
In 1556 Venice welcomed Bona Sforza of Poland with orations by an old woman & a blind boy, signaling that the power of the Venetian State was expressed through virtue and wisdom, not physical prowess.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Hannah Marcus researches scientific culture in early modern Europe.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Hannah Marcus researches scientific culture in early modern Europe.
2025 Dan David Prize Winner Hannah Marcus
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
In 1556 Venice welcomed Bona Sforza of Poland with orations by an old woman & a blind boy, signaling that the power of the Venetian State was expressed through virtue and wisdom, not physical prowess.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Hannah Marcus researches scientific culture in early modern Europe.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Hannah Marcus researches scientific culture in early modern Europe.
The chemical makeup of glass beads found in Nigeria proves that glass-making was invented there independently, not imported, overturning narratives about a non-inventive sub-Saharan Africa.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Abidemi Babalola is an archaeologist of science and technology in West Africa.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Abidemi Babalola is an archaeologist of science and technology in West Africa.
2025 Dan David Prize Winner Abidemi Babalola
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The chemical makeup of glass beads found in Nigeria proves that glass-making was invented there independently, not imported, overturning narratives about a non-inventive sub-Saharan Africa.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Abidemi Babalola is an archaeologist of science and technology in West Africa.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Abidemi Babalola is an archaeologist of science and technology in West Africa.
Born into Roma slavery in 19thC Moldova, Dincă begged for freedom to be with the one he loved, but was refused. The tragic events that ensued led to shockwaves that created dramatic social change.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Alina Șerban is a filmmaker whose work highlights Roma history.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Alina Șerban is a filmmaker whose work highlights Roma history.
2025 Dan David Prize Winner Alina Șerban
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Born into Roma slavery in 19thC Moldova, Dincă begged for freedom to be with the one he loved, but was refused. The tragic events that ensued led to shockwaves that created dramatic social change.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Alina Șerban is a filmmaker whose work highlights Roma history.
2025 Dan David Prize winner Alina Șerban is a filmmaker whose work highlights Roma history.
Today is the final day to submit a nomination for the 2026 Dan David Prize.
Nominations close at 11:59pm PST ⌛
Submitting a nomination is quick & easy:
- Submit the nominee’s CV
- Provide a list of relevant work/publications
- Answer 3 brief questions
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominations close at 11:59pm PST ⌛
Submitting a nomination is quick & easy:
- Submit the nominee’s CV
- Provide a list of relevant work/publications
- Answer 3 brief questions
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
September 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Today is the final day to submit a nomination for the 2026 Dan David Prize.
Nominations close at 11:59pm PST ⌛
Submitting a nomination is quick & easy:
- Submit the nominee’s CV
- Provide a list of relevant work/publications
- Answer 3 brief questions
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominations close at 11:59pm PST ⌛
Submitting a nomination is quick & easy:
- Submit the nominee’s CV
- Provide a list of relevant work/publications
- Answer 3 brief questions
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
The deadline to nominate someone for the 2026 Dan David Prize is TOMORROW at 11:59pm PST.
Submitting a nomination is quick and easy. Nominators will be asked to provide the nominee’s CV and list of relevant work or publications, and answer three brief questions.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Submitting a nomination is quick and easy. Nominators will be asked to provide the nominee’s CV and list of relevant work or publications, and answer three brief questions.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
September 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The deadline to nominate someone for the 2026 Dan David Prize is TOMORROW at 11:59pm PST.
Submitting a nomination is quick and easy. Nominators will be asked to provide the nominee’s CV and list of relevant work or publications, and answer three brief questions.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Submitting a nomination is quick and easy. Nominators will be asked to provide the nominee’s CV and list of relevant work or publications, and answer three brief questions.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Only 1 week left to nominate for the 2026 Dan David Prize⏳
Deadline: Weds 24 Sept, 2025 (11:59pm PST).
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners in the historical disciplines will be awarded $300,000 each in recognition of excellent work & future potential.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Deadline: Weds 24 Sept, 2025 (11:59pm PST).
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners in the historical disciplines will be awarded $300,000 each in recognition of excellent work & future potential.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
September 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Only 1 week left to nominate for the 2026 Dan David Prize⏳
Deadline: Weds 24 Sept, 2025 (11:59pm PST).
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners in the historical disciplines will be awarded $300,000 each in recognition of excellent work & future potential.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Deadline: Weds 24 Sept, 2025 (11:59pm PST).
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners in the historical disciplines will be awarded $300,000 each in recognition of excellent work & future potential.
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Do you know a groundbreaking researcher doing excellent work related to history & the human past?
Nominate them for the 2026 Dan David Prize.
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominations close on September 24, 2025 ⌛
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominate them for the 2026 Dan David Prize.
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominations close on September 24, 2025 ⌛
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
September 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Do you know a groundbreaking researcher doing excellent work related to history & the human past?
Nominate them for the 2026 Dan David Prize.
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominations close on September 24, 2025 ⌛
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominate them for the 2026 Dan David Prize.
Up to 9 early & midcareer scholars & practitioners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominations close on September 24, 2025 ⌛
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominate an early or midcareer scholar or practitioner for the 2026 Dan David Prize, the world's largest history prize.
Nominators will need to provide the nominee’s CV and a list of relevant work/publications, and answer a few brief questions.
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominators will need to provide the nominee’s CV and a list of relevant work/publications, and answer a few brief questions.
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
August 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Nominate an early or midcareer scholar or practitioner for the 2026 Dan David Prize, the world's largest history prize.
Nominators will need to provide the nominee’s CV and a list of relevant work/publications, and answer a few brief questions.
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominators will need to provide the nominee’s CV and a list of relevant work/publications, and answer a few brief questions.
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominations for the 2026 Dan David Prize are open.
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025⌛
Up to 9 winners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominees can work in any discipline which focuses on the human past, be within or outside of academia, and be based anywhere in the world: dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025⌛
Up to 9 winners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominees can work in any discipline which focuses on the human past, be within or outside of academia, and be based anywhere in the world: dandavidprize.org/nominate/
July 30, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Nominations for the 2026 Dan David Prize are open.
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025⌛
Up to 9 winners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominees can work in any discipline which focuses on the human past, be within or outside of academia, and be based anywhere in the world: dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Deadline: Sept 24, 2025⌛
Up to 9 winners will be awarded $300,000 each.
Nominees can work in any discipline which focuses on the human past, be within or outside of academia, and be based anywhere in the world: dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominations for the 2026 Dan David Prize are open📣
Nominate bold & creative early or midcareer scholars & practitioners in any discipline related to history and the human past
🏆Winners are awarded $300K each
👩💻Anyone can nominate
⏳Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominate bold & creative early or midcareer scholars & practitioners in any discipline related to history and the human past
🏆Winners are awarded $300K each
👩💻Anyone can nominate
⏳Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
July 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Nominations for the 2026 Dan David Prize are open📣
Nominate bold & creative early or midcareer scholars & practitioners in any discipline related to history and the human past
🏆Winners are awarded $300K each
👩💻Anyone can nominate
⏳Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
Nominate bold & creative early or midcareer scholars & practitioners in any discipline related to history and the human past
🏆Winners are awarded $300K each
👩💻Anyone can nominate
⏳Deadline: Sept 24, 2025
dandavidprize.org/nominate/
We mourn the passing of Zelig Eshhar, a 2021 Dan David Prize laureate. Eshhar was an immunologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science and a pioneer of the CAR-T cell approach and its application for cancer therapy.
July 10, 2025 at 10:28 AM
We mourn the passing of Zelig Eshhar, a 2021 Dan David Prize laureate. Eshhar was an immunologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science and a pioneer of the CAR-T cell approach and its application for cancer therapy.
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Dan David Prize – the world's largest history prize.
Winners receive $300,000 each in recognition of their contribution to the study of the past and to support their future endeavors.
Congratulations to this year's winners 👏
dandavidprize.org/winners
Winners receive $300,000 each in recognition of their contribution to the study of the past and to support their future endeavors.
Congratulations to this year's winners 👏
dandavidprize.org/winners
June 10, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Dan David Prize – the world's largest history prize.
Winners receive $300,000 each in recognition of their contribution to the study of the past and to support their future endeavors.
Congratulations to this year's winners 👏
dandavidprize.org/winners
Winners receive $300,000 each in recognition of their contribution to the study of the past and to support their future endeavors.
Congratulations to this year's winners 👏
dandavidprize.org/winners
When we think of Viking raiders, we don't tend to think of women & children. However, new bioarchaeological methods have caused us to think again & reassess women & children's roles in Viking society.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cat Jarman is a public archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cat Jarman is a public archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Cat Jarman
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
May 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
When we think of Viking raiders, we don't tend to think of women & children. However, new bioarchaeological methods have caused us to think again & reassess women & children's roles in Viking society.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cat Jarman is a public archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cat Jarman is a public archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Katarzyna Person helps Hollywood actor Andrew Garfield uncover his family history on BBC show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’
Katarzyna helps Andrew explore why his Jewish ancestors may have left Poland in the early 20th Century.
Those in the UK can watch on BBC Iplayer 👇
Katarzyna helps Andrew explore why his Jewish ancestors may have left Poland in the early 20th Century.
Those in the UK can watch on BBC Iplayer 👇
Who Do You Think You Are? - Series 22: 1. Andrew Garfield
Worthy of a film plot line, Andrew Garfield’s family history takes him from Nazi-occupied Poland to early Hollywood glamour as he uncovers stories which veer from tragedy to hope.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
2024 Dan David Prize winner Katarzyna Person helps Hollywood actor Andrew Garfield uncover his family history on BBC show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’
Katarzyna helps Andrew explore why his Jewish ancestors may have left Poland in the early 20th Century.
Those in the UK can watch on BBC Iplayer 👇
Katarzyna helps Andrew explore why his Jewish ancestors may have left Poland in the early 20th Century.
Those in the UK can watch on BBC Iplayer 👇
"It is not the celebrated constitution, but the Indian voters themselves that have, over the years, doggedly held authoritarianism at bay. Only time will tell how long they will continue to do this", writes 2024 Dan David Prize winner Tripurdaman Singh, in @uk.theconversation.com
Read here👇
Read here👇
Birth of India: ‘biggest experiment’ with democracy was a huge gamble. Happily the people have made it work – here’s how
India’s constitution always gave the executive a great deal of power, but the diversity of the country’s electorate has ensured that this power has been diluted.
theconversation.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:24 AM
"It is not the celebrated constitution, but the Indian voters themselves that have, over the years, doggedly held authoritarianism at bay. Only time will tell how long they will continue to do this", writes 2024 Dan David Prize winner Tripurdaman Singh, in @uk.theconversation.com
Read here👇
Read here👇
By 1940, Mittie Maude Lena Gordon, a working-poor Black woman in the US, had built up >300,000 supporters for her Black nationalist group, the Peace Movement of Ethiopia.
For 2024 DDP winner Keisha N. Blain, it is crucial to tell histories like this, which are so often missing from the narrative.🗃️
For 2024 DDP winner Keisha N. Blain, it is crucial to tell histories like this, which are so often missing from the narrative.🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Keisha N. Blain
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
By 1940, Mittie Maude Lena Gordon, a working-poor Black woman in the US, had built up >300,000 supporters for her Black nationalist group, the Peace Movement of Ethiopia.
For 2024 DDP winner Keisha N. Blain, it is crucial to tell histories like this, which are so often missing from the narrative.🗃️
For 2024 DDP winner Keisha N. Blain, it is crucial to tell histories like this, which are so often missing from the narrative.🗃️
In the long 18thC, bundles of carefully chosen ingredients lent people across the Afro-Atlantic world empowerment & protection, in face of the violent realities of enslavement.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cécile Fromont studies the visual & material cultures of the Afro-Atlantic world 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cécile Fromont studies the visual & material cultures of the Afro-Atlantic world 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Cécile Fromont
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
April 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM
In the long 18thC, bundles of carefully chosen ingredients lent people across the Afro-Atlantic world empowerment & protection, in face of the violent realities of enslavement.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cécile Fromont studies the visual & material cultures of the Afro-Atlantic world 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Cécile Fromont studies the visual & material cultures of the Afro-Atlantic world 🗃️
“The lesson from history is these are not mild ailments...These are diseases that have killed hundreds of millions of people – and quite horribly too.”
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius is quoted in @theguardian.com providing historical context to the recent measles outbreak in the US 👇
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius is quoted in @theguardian.com providing historical context to the recent measles outbreak in the US 👇
‘The goal is to disassemble public health’: experts warn against US turn to vaccine skepticism
As measles sickens hundreds and health secretary RFK Jr spreads dubious information, experts sound the alarm
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
“The lesson from history is these are not mild ailments...These are diseases that have killed hundreds of millions of people – and quite horribly too.”
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius is quoted in @theguardian.com providing historical context to the recent measles outbreak in the US 👇
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius is quoted in @theguardian.com providing historical context to the recent measles outbreak in the US 👇
In 1640s England, stained glass windows in churches were condemned by the Puritan parliament as popish; many were destroyed.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Daniel Jütte researches Early Modern European history. His work asks what we can learn from the history of inconspicuous materials, like glass. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Daniel Jütte researches Early Modern European history. His work asks what we can learn from the history of inconspicuous materials, like glass. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Daniel Jütte
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
In 1640s England, stained glass windows in churches were condemned by the Puritan parliament as popish; many were destroyed.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Daniel Jütte researches Early Modern European history. His work asks what we can learn from the history of inconspicuous materials, like glass. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Daniel Jütte researches Early Modern European history. His work asks what we can learn from the history of inconspicuous materials, like glass. 🗃️
In 1619, the process that culminated in British privateers selling the first enslaved Africans in British North America involved global actors & forces, spanning the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Africa & Asia.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Stuart M. McManus is a historian of the global Renaissance. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Stuart M. McManus is a historian of the global Renaissance. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Stuart M. McManus
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
March 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
In 1619, the process that culminated in British privateers selling the first enslaved Africans in British North America involved global actors & forces, spanning the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Africa & Asia.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Stuart M. McManus is a historian of the global Renaissance. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Stuart M. McManus is a historian of the global Renaissance. 🗃️
How did someone’s vulnerability to Yellow Fever make or break their life chances and future prosperity in 19th Century New Orleans?
Listen to 2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius discuss her research on the Road to Now podcast @roadtonow.bsky.social 🗃️
Listen to 2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius discuss her research on the Road to Now podcast @roadtonow.bsky.social 🗃️
Necropolis: Disease, Power & Capitalism in 19th Century New Orleans w/ Kathryn Olivarius (#329) | The Road to Now
theroadtonow.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
How did someone’s vulnerability to Yellow Fever make or break their life chances and future prosperity in 19th Century New Orleans?
Listen to 2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius discuss her research on the Road to Now podcast @roadtonow.bsky.social 🗃️
Listen to 2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius discuss her research on the Road to Now podcast @roadtonow.bsky.social 🗃️
Congratulations to 2024 Dan David Prize winner Katarzyna Person, who was recently appointed Director of the Warsaw Ghetto Museum 👏
www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/...
www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/...
www.pap.pl
March 18, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Congratulations to 2024 Dan David Prize winner Katarzyna Person, who was recently appointed Director of the Warsaw Ghetto Museum 👏
www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/...
www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/...
In mid-19thC New Orleans, yellow fever killed 50% of victims. Survivors gained the status of “acclimated citizens”, gaining socio-economic capital. Staying was risky, but could reap big rewards.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius researches disease & capitalism in the antebellum South. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius researches disease & capitalism in the antebellum South. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Kathryn Olivarius
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
March 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In mid-19thC New Orleans, yellow fever killed 50% of victims. Survivors gained the status of “acclimated citizens”, gaining socio-economic capital. Staying was risky, but could reap big rewards.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius researches disease & capitalism in the antebellum South. 🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Kathryn Olivarius researches disease & capitalism in the antebellum South. 🗃️
After a 17 year pilgrimage to India, Buddhist monk Xuanzang returned to his homeland of China in 645, bringing with him new Buddhist texts & relics, & marking a key moment in the transmission of Buddhism into China.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Ben Brose is a historian of Buddhism & Asian religion.🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Ben Brose is a historian of Buddhism & Asian religion.🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize Winner Ben Brose
YouTube video by Dan David Prize
www.youtube.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
After a 17 year pilgrimage to India, Buddhist monk Xuanzang returned to his homeland of China in 645, bringing with him new Buddhist texts & relics, & marking a key moment in the transmission of Buddhism into China.
2024 Dan David Prize winner Ben Brose is a historian of Buddhism & Asian religion.🗃️
2024 Dan David Prize winner Ben Brose is a historian of Buddhism & Asian religion.🗃️