History Professor Richard Bell Wins Prestigious George Washington Prize

October 06, 2026 History

A man in a blue suit smiles. He wears an award around his neck.

Bell’s book recasts the American war for independence as a far-reaching international event.

By ARHU Staff

Richard Bell, a history professor in the College of Arts and Humanities, won the George Washington Prize for his book, “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World,” published in November 2025 by Penguin Random House.

Co-sponsored by Washington College, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the $50,000 prize recognizes the year’s best works on the nation’s founding era, especially those that have the potential to advance broad public understanding of American history.

Released on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World” reframes America’s founding conflict as a world war, fought across empires, oceans and everyday lives. Stretching from India, Africa, Central America and Australia to the colonies, the book grounds its narrative in the stories of individuals — including women, minorities and other disenfranchised people.

A man in a suit smiles at the camera. He stands beside a book cover that says "The American Revolution and the Fate of the World"

Bell called the award “the honor of my life.”

“I’m so grateful that this book, which was a joy to research and write, is finding such traction with readers across the country who are interested in learning more about America’s founding fight and its global reach and resonance," he said.

Bell received the award Monday, Oct. 5, at a ceremony held at the Museum of the City of New York.

The book also previously earned him the 2025 Journal of the American Revolution Annual Book Award.

Read an interview with Bell about the book, first published in February 2026.

Photos by Reuben Kleiner.