Prize for best essay that considers the impact of technology on prospects for peace or war and/or the ways in which conflict may shape technology.

Martin Sherwin, professor and historian of the nuclear age, passed away on October 6, 2021.  

Sherwin graduated with a PhD in history from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1971 and  spent the next two academic years at Cornell University as a research associate affiliated with the newly established Peace Studies Program (now PACS) and the Program on Science, Technology, working on his first book A World Destroyed: The Atomic Bomb and the Grand Alliance. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize and won both the Stuart L. Bernath and the American History Book prizes. His magnum opus was a comprehensive biography of Robert J. Oppenheimer, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of Robert J. Oppenheimer, with Kai Bird, which won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for biography or autobiography.

Marty spent much of his career as the Walter S. Dickson professor of English and American history at Tufts University, until becoming emeritus in May 2007. He continued teaching as a University Professor at George Mason University. Friend and co-author Kai Bird describes Martin Sherwin as “probably the preeminent historian of the nuclear age.” [1] We honor his contributions and lasting legacy.

For a full obituary, please refer to the In Memoriam prepared by George Mason University. 

Sources:

[1] The Associated Press (2021). Martin J. Sherwin, Pulitzer-Winning Scholar and Navy Veteran, Dead at 84

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