About Us

The Department of History thrives on its close relationship with many other departments, centers and area studies programs in the humanities and social sciences at Cornell. The faculty includes more than a dozen prize-winning authors as well as winners of Cornell’s prestigious teaching and advising awards.

Spotlight on History Alumni

Photograph David Langbert courtesy of National Archives

History Alum and Diplomatic Records Archivist Receives Foreign Policy Prize

History Degree Shines Light on Alumna's Real Estate Business Career

A Career in Corporate Finance ~ How My History Degree Helped Me Get There

Popular Destinations

Department Contacts and Administration Cornell Historical Society Public History Initiative

History Events

Feb 10

Monday 12:15 PM

A Subaltern Crematorium of India? Bombay, 1918 – 1953

Uris Hall G08

Mar 03

Monday 12:15 PM

Prophetic Maharaja: Loss, Sovereignty, and the Sikh Tradition in Colonial South Asia

Uris Hall G08

Mar 17

Monday 12:15 PM

Rights, Sovereignty, and Resistance: Rethinking the Cantonment in Colonial South Asia

Uris Hall G08

Apr 21

Monday 12:15 PM

Pious Labor: Islam, Artisanship, and Technology in Colonial India

Uris Hall G08

Apr 28

Monday 12:15 PM

Individuating Identity in Postcolonial Pakistan

Uris Hall G08

See all events

History News

Black and white historic photo of Ezra Cornell, frowning and holding a pen.

‘Good health, tempered courage, and sound common sense’

Those are the gifts that fate gave Ezra Cornell, per one historian. Here’s a look at his life—from humble beginnings to great wealth.

Mary Beth Norton, Isabel Hull and Margaret Washington, all smiling, standing in front of the drawings of their faces on the wall

History department honors first women hired

The centerpiece is a wall-size homage to the first three women hired and McGraw itself, drawn by Prof. Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik.

President Carter pushed the U.S. ‘to act as a force for good in the world.’

Carter's presidency ultimately set in motion many of the trends that have shaped the world we live in today, says Ruth Lawlor, assistant professor at Cornell University and historian of American foreign relations.

Looking down a desolate street damaged by war

Syria developments and foreign involvement: Cornell experts comment

Cornell government and history scholars provide perspective on the end of 14 years of civil war and 24 years of the Assad dictatorship.

Jeremy Peschard Pórtela with white shirt and black tie, a faint beard and mustache, in front of a sunlight building.

Student Spotlight: Jeremy Peschard Pórtela

Jeremy Peschard Pórtela studies the histories of Latinos, immigration and mental health under the guidance of Prof. Maria Cristina Garcia.

Ahead of Trump takeover, long-range missiles unlikely to change tide in Ukraine

The Biden White House is likely trying to give Ukraine everything it can before the administration changes, says military historian David Silbey.

Person holds a large, yellowed document in a library setting

Klarman Fellow presents findings on housing cost history

This fall, Jake Anbinder, a historian with an interest in cities and strong ties to public policy, presented two conference papers elaborating on his award-winning book project.

Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures holds first event

During “Beyond 2024: Envisioning Just Futures and Equitable Democracy,” faculty and students from across the university will come together to creatively showcase research and art, build community and be inspired to imagine a better future.

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