Irish, Indian historians share US humanities prize
(December 4, 2008) Irish historian Peter R. L. Brown and Indian historian Romila
Thapar have been chosen as co-recipients of the $1 million John W. Kluge Prize, a
Library of Congress achievement award for the study of humanities. Endowed by Library
benefactor John W. Kluge, the Kluge Prize rewards lifetime achievement in the study
of humanity with focus on disciplines not recognized by Nobel prizes. Such disciplines
include history, philosophy, politics, anthropology, sociology, religion, criticism
in the arts and humanities, and linguistics. Brown and Thapar were named Wednesday
for work that provided a broader understanding of human development in past cultures.
Brown, a 73-year-old professor at Princeton University in the United States, was recognized
for work on the transition between classical and modern civilizations. Thapar, a 77-year-old
emeritus professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India, was honoured
for work showing Indian civilization as more pluralistic than was widely accepted.
They will receive the award December 10 at the Library of Congress and share the prize
money.