Princeton University has announced that professors Linda Colley and Jill Dolan are the recipients of the Howard T. Behrman Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities. This award is given to faculty members who have shown exceptional distinction in humanities-related activities, including teaching, advising, and publication.
Linda Colley, who holds the Shelby M.C. Davis 1958 Professor of History title, joined Princeton’s faculty in 2003. Her work spans British, constitutional, global, and imperial history. A colleague described her as “one of the most eminent living historians” and “a major force in the history department.” Another noted her ability to make familiar concepts seem new by exploring how they developed and influenced everyday people. Colley’s achievements include being named a Dame of the Order of the British Empire in 2022.
Colley’s writing is praised for its accessibility and appeal to both academic audiences and the general public. Her book “Britons: Forging the Nation, 1707-1837” is considered essential reading on nationalism. Another notable work, “The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History,” was listed among The New York Times’ top ten books of 2007. Jill Lepore from Harvard University remarked that if there were a Nobel Prize in history, she would nominate Colley for it.
Jill Dolan serves as the Annan Professor in English and professor of theater at Princeton’s Lewis Center for the Arts. She joined Princeton in 2008 and served as dean of the college from 2015 to 2024. Dolan is recognized for her expertise in contemporary American feminist and queer theater and performance. One colleague called her “the consummate interdisciplinary humanist.”
During her tenure as dean, Dolan collaborated with President Christopher L. Eisgruber on initiatives to increase socioeconomic diversity at Princeton, such as expanding financial aid programs and establishing new centers for access and opportunity.
Dolan’s colleagues highlight her creativity in curriculum development across various fields like American studies, gender studies, and theater. Her courses often explore underrecognized contributors to theater history. She has authored or edited ten books covering topics like theater criticism and LGBTQ studies.
Dolan has received numerous accolades for her contributions to writing and teaching. In 2011, she won several awards including one from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education for outstanding teaching.
