Indiana Historian to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

(photo courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society)

The Indiana Historical Society has named Robert Barrows the recipient of its Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award. The organization says Barrows, an author and former IUPUI professor, has "contributed to an awareness and appreciation of Indiana’s history for decades."

The award is presented each year to someone who has made extraordinary contributions to the field of history. Barrows served for more than 10 years as an editor at the Indiana Historical Bureau before going to IUPUI to teach American history, including Indiana history for nearly 30 years.

Historian James Madison wrote a letter of support of support for nominating Barrows for the award, saying, "Particularly important is his work as managing editor of The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. That magisterial volume has a prominent place on my shelf as one of the major reference books I go to. It’s an immense achievement of enduring value."

IHS will present the award to Barrows at its annual Founders Day dinner November 5 at the Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis.