David J. Gerleman, adjunct professor in the Department of History and Art History at George Mason University, has been selected for a 2024-25 Fulbright Scholar Award. He will be teaching two classes at the University of Debrecen, one of Hungary’s most famous higher education institutions.
Gerleman, a Civil War historian and Abraham Lincoln scholar, edited The Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project for ten years. He is one of the nation’s most prolific discoverers of unknown Lincoln documents and has appeared on numerous media outlets to discuss Lincoln and the Civil War.
“We tend to think of Lincoln as an insular American historic figure when he actually has global relevance,” he remarked. “I also hope to convey to non-American audiences why his image still looms so large in our national consciousness and why U.S. election cycles are never complete without politicians of all stripes seeking to ‘get right with Lincoln.'”
During his stay at Mason, Gerleman devised two courses that he will teach at the University of Debrecen: Abraham Lincoln in American History and Memory and United States Diplomatic History, 1776-1920. The Lincoln course will use his original document research, as emphasized in his recent Washington Post story, which revealed a previously unknown link between Abraham Lincoln and President Biden, gaining global attention.
Péter Csató, chair of the University of Debrecen’s North American Department, is excited to host Gerleman. “His experience in nineteenth-century American history will significantly add to our students’ in-depth knowledge and understanding of this critical period in American history, and historian colleagues in the department will benefit enormously from conversations and consultations with him. We’re all excited to work with him.”
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program, the US government’s premier international academic exchange program, has promoted mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. Every year, nearly 8,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals from the United States and 160 other countries receive awards through this program.