Herbert Baxter Adams Prize in European History

The American Historical Association offers the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize annually for a distinguished book published in English in the field of European history. The Adams Prize and the Leo Gershoy Award are widely considered to be the most prestigious prizes in the field of European history. The prize is offered on a rotating basis: in even years for books on European history from ancient times to 1815; in odd years for books on European history from 1815 through the 20th century. Since the prize is designed especially to encourage scholars who have not yet obtained an established reputation, the entry must be the author's first substantial book. Textbooks in the strict sense of the word are not eligible, but a work of wide scope which interprets a major period or area would certainly qualify. Pamphlets, anthologies, edited works, and other small-scale efforts will not qualify. The prize was established in 1905 in memory of the first secretary of the Association, Herbert Adams of Johns Hopkins University, who was also one of the Association's founders.