2015 Founder's Literature Award: Sir Michael Howard

Renowned British Historian Sir Michael Howard was awarded one of two inaugural Founder's Literature Awards at the Museum & Library's 2015 Liberty Gala, presented for an immense contribution to furthering the public’s understanding of military history and affairs.

SIR MICHAEL ELIOT HOWARD has often been called Britain’s finest living historian—best known for his ability to expand his writings about military history beyond the facts and figures and into an examination of the sociological significance of war.

A decorated veteran of the British Army, Howard was awarded the nation’s Military Cross for distinguished service as an infantry officer with the Coldstream Guards during the Italian Campaign of World War II, where he was twice wounded. A graduate of Wellington College, Howard completed his education at Christ Church, University of Oxford following the war.

As an educator, Howard made his mark as a professor of history at King’s College London, where he was credited with founding the Department of War Studies in 1962 and went on to become one of Britain’s most influential academic policy makers. He also served as Robert A. Lovett Professor of Military and Naval History at Yale University; as Chichele Professor of the History of War and Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford; and as founder and President Emeritus of London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies.

As an author, Howard has produced or contributed to important writings on a wide range of subjects related to military history and theory. His most significant works include War in European History, The Continental Commitment: The Dilemma of British Defence Policy in the Era of the Two World Wars, and The Franco-Prussian War—acknowledged as the definitive history of one of the most dramatic and decisive conflicts in the history of Europe. He is also an editor and translator of the most widely read version of Carl von Clausewitz’ masterpiece, On War.

Knighted in 1986, Sir Howard is a Fellow of the British Academy and a member of Britain’s prestigious Order of Merit, Order of the Companions of Honour, and Order of the British Empire.