History Students Contribute to George Washington Encyclopedia

History Students Contribute to George Washington Encyclopedia

Twelve Mason history majors will be published authors by the time they complete their degrees. Students in Professor Cynthia Kierner's senior seminar, World of the Founders, are researching and writing essays for the Digital Encyclopedia of George Washington, which is based at the new Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon. Students are working on topics ranging from military education to Chinese porcelain, as well as more Washington-centered subjects, such as the cherry tree myth and portrayals of Washington in film and popular culture. Part of the Students as Scholars program, Mason’s undergraduate research and creative activities initiative, this project entails students doing original research and presenting it to a wider public audience via publication and also at a special session in April, when students will discuss their work at the library.

Dr. Adam Shprintzen, Mount Vernon's digital and archival historian and editor of the Digital Encyclopedia of George Washington, is enthusiastic about collaborating with Mason students. "The National Library for the Study of George Washington emphasizes both the creation of compelling digital scholarship and the continuing importance of history education amongst students," he notes. "Our working relationship with Professor Kierner and her class is a key component of the library's evolving mission to ensure that the study of the founding era remains a relevant and evolving subject of inquiry."