The Phi Beta Kappa Society awarded the 2026 Ralph Waldo Emerson Award to America, América: A New History of the New World (Penguin Press, 2025), by historian Greg Grandin (ΦBK, Brooklyn College).
Presented annually, the Emerson Award recognizes a book of scholarly study that significantly contributes to our understanding of humanity’s intellectual and cultural condition. This year’s honoree offers a sweeping reinterpretation of the Americas and traces the historical forces that continue to shape public life today.
From the publisher: “In this stunningly original reinterpretation of the New World, Grandin reveals how the United States and Latin America were forged from a constant, turbulent engagement with each other. America, América traverses half a millennium, from the Spanish Conquest—the greatest mortality event in human history—through the eighteenth-century wars for independence; the Monroe Doctrine; the world wars, coups, and revolutions of the twentieth century and beyond…. Drawing on a vast array of sources and decades of scholarship, Grandin brings new perspective to both well-known historical figures and overlooked actors. He reveals how hemispheric history continues to shape the present and reframes how we understand the origins and evolution of the modern world.”
The Emerson Award was presented on April 16 during a special event hosted by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in partnership with Phi Beta Kappa and the American Philosophical Society (APS). In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, the three eighteenth-century societies gathered to celebrate scholarship and their shared dedication to fostering an informed, democratic society.
The program also featured the Academy’s Talcott Parsons Prize, awarded to economist Claudia Goldin, and the Henry Allen Moe Prize in the Humanities or Jurisprudence, presented by APS to medievalist Jan Ziolkowski. The evening concluded with a lively discussion among the honorees, led by Academy President Laurie Patton, exploring the question: What does cultivating useful knowledge look like in America today?
“As we mark our 250th anniversary, we are proud to honor America, América, a work that exemplifies Phi Beta Kappa’s belief that the pursuit of knowledge can illuminate the past and shape a more informed future,” said Phi Beta Kappa Secretary Frederick M. Lawrence. “This book reflects the very best of scholarship in the arts and sciences and reminds us that understanding our shared history can inspire thoughtful action in the world today.”
The celebration marked the first of several collaborations planned among the organizations this milestone year, highlighting a collective exploration of scholarship, public dialogue, and civic engagement. Phi Beta Kappa looks forward to continuing these initiatives and sharing details about upcoming programs in the months ahead.
By Micayla Nadeau-Williams, Assistant Director, Development, Events, and Awards