ALA Awards
The Logan Hay Medal
The Logan Hay Medal recognizes individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to the mission of the Abraham Lincoln Association: to observe each anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln; to preserve and make more accessible the landmarks associated with his life; and to actively encourage, promote, and aid the collection and dissemination of authentic information regarding all phases of his life and career.
The award was established in 1967 by the ALA and Logan Hay descendants in honor of Logan Hay, an important figure in the ALA’s formation. By tradition, members of the Hay family offer input on selection of the recipient. The bronze medal is awarded infrequently and is the highest honor given by the ALA.
Michael Burlingame – 2025
Mary Shepherd – 2021
Robert J. Lenz – 2016
Earl W. Henderson, Jr. – 2010
Robert S. Eckley – 2008
Thomas F. Schwartz – 2002
Don E. Fehrenbacher – 1989
Floyd S. Barringer, M.D. – 1984
Nelson O. Howarth – 1971
Oliver J. Keller – 1968
Lewis Lehrman – 2018
Richard E. Hart – 2011
Molly M. Becker – 2009
Georgia Northrup – 2008
Cullom Davis – 2000
Richard N. Current – 1989
Paul Findley – 1972
George W. Bunn Jr. – 1969
Otto Kerner – 1967
The Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize
The Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize recognizes and encourages young scholars to conduct research on Abraham Lincoln and his times. The Abraham Lincoln Institute and the Abraham Lincoln Association select the recipients and underwrite the annual prize of $1,000. The first year, both organizations selected recipients. The award alternates between each organization from year to year. A panel of five scholars representing each entity serves as the jury.
Evan Turiano – 2024
“Secession’s Moving Foundation: Fugitive Slave Rendition and the Politics of American Slavery” (The City University of New York, 2022
“Secession’s Moving Foundation: Fugitive Slave Rendition and the Politics of American Slavery” (The City University of New York, 2022
Robert O. Faith – 2020
“‘This Despotic and Arbitrary Power’: British Diplomacy and Resistance in the Habeas Corpus Controversy of the American Civil War,” University of Akron.
“‘This Despotic and Arbitrary Power’: British Diplomacy and Resistance in the Habeas Corpus Controversy of the American Civil War,” University of Akron.
Mark A. Neels – 2017
“Lincoln’s Conservatives: Conservative Unionism and Political Tradition in the Civil War Era,” Southern Illinois University.
“Lincoln’s Conservatives: Conservative Unionism and Political Tradition in the Civil War Era,” Southern Illinois University.
Kimberly N. Kutz – 2014
“Lincoln’s Ghosts: The Posthumous Career of an American Icon,” The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
“Lincoln’s Ghosts: The Posthumous Career of an American Icon,” The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
John Barr – 2011
“The Anti-Lincoln Tradition in American Life,” The University of Houston. The dissertation was then published as Loathing Lincoln: An American Tradition from the Civil War to the Present (Louisiana State University Press, 2014).
“The Anti-Lincoln Tradition in American Life,” The University of Houston. The dissertation was then published as Loathing Lincoln: An American Tradition from the Civil War to the Present (Louisiana State University Press, 2014).
Russell McClintock – 2007
“Shall it be Peace or a Sword? Northern Political Culture and the Crisis of Secession, 1860-1861,” Clark University. The dissertation was then published as Lincoln and the Decision for War: The Northern Response to Secession (University of North Carolina Press, 2008).
“Shall it be Peace or a Sword? Northern Political Culture and the Crisis of Secession, 1860-1861,” Clark University. The dissertation was then published as Lincoln and the Decision for War: The Northern Response to Secession (University of North Carolina Press, 2008).
Matthew Parks – 2004
“Self-Evident No More: American Political Thought, 1820-1850,” Boston University.
“Self-Evident No More: American Political Thought, 1820-1850,” Boston University.
Stewart Winger – 2001
“Lincoln’s Religious Rhetoric: American Romanticism and the Antislavery Impulse,” University of Chicago. Book: Lincoln, Religion, and Romantic Cultural Politics (2003).
“Lincoln’s Religious Rhetoric: American Romanticism and the Antislavery Impulse,” University of Chicago. Book: Lincoln, Religion, and Romantic Cultural Politics (2003).
Ian Todd Iverson – 2023
“Moderate Men and Conservative Influences: Illinois and the Politics of Union, 1854-1861,” University of Virginia.
“Moderate Men and Conservative Influences: Illinois and the Politics of Union, 1854-1861,” University of Virginia.
Thomas D. Mackie Jr. – 2019
“A Shrine for President Lincoln: An Analysis of Lincoln Museums and Historic Sites, 1816-2015,” Western Michigan University.
“A Shrine for President Lincoln: An Analysis of Lincoln Museums and Historic Sites, 1816-2015,” Western Michigan University.
Thomas J. Kernan – 2016
“Sounding ‘The Mystic Chords of Memory’: Musical Memorials for Abraham Lincoln, 1865-2009,” The University of Cincinnati.
“Sounding ‘The Mystic Chords of Memory’: Musical Memorials for Abraham Lincoln, 1865-2009,” The University of Cincinnati.
Jarod Peatman – 2013
“The Long Shadow of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,” Texas A&M University. The dissertation was then published as The Long Shadow of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (Southern Illinois University Press, 2013).
“The Long Shadow of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,” Texas A&M University. The dissertation was then published as The Long Shadow of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (Southern Illinois University Press, 2013).
Jonathan W. White – 2010
“‘To Aid Their Rebel Friends’: Politics and Treason in the Civil War North,” University of Maryland at College Park. The dissertation was then published as Abraham Lincoln and Treason in the Civil War: The Trials of John Merryman (Louisiana State University Press, 2011).
“‘To Aid Their Rebel Friends’: Politics and Treason in the Civil War North,” University of Maryland at College Park. The dissertation was then published as Abraham Lincoln and Treason in the Civil War: The Trials of John Merryman (Louisiana State University Press, 2011).
David Work – 2006
“Lincoln’s Political Generals,” Texas A & M University. The dissertation was then published as Lincoln’s Political Generals, (University of Illinois Press, 2009).
“Lincoln’s Political Generals,” Texas A & M University. The dissertation was then published as Lincoln’s Political Generals, (University of Illinois Press, 2009).
Graham A. Peck – 2003
“The Social and Cultural Origins of Sectional Politics: Illinois from Statehood to Civil War,” Northwestern University.
“The Social and Cultural Origins of Sectional Politics: Illinois from Statehood to Civil War,” Northwestern University.
Deren Kellogg – 2001
“The Lincoln Administration and the Southwestern Territories,” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“The Lincoln Administration and the Southwestern Territories,” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Scott Ackerman – 2022
“‘We are Abolitionizing the West’: The Union Army and the Implementation of Federal Emancipation Policy, 1861-1865,” City University of New York.
“‘We are Abolitionizing the West’: The Union Army and the Implementation of Federal Emancipation Policy, 1861-1865,” City University of New York.
Zachery A. Fry – 2018
“Lincoln’s Divided Legion: Loyalty and Political Culture of the Army of the Potomac 1861-1865,” Ohio State University.
“Lincoln’s Divided Legion: Loyalty and Political Culture of the Army of the Potomac 1861-1865,” Ohio State University.
Sarah Bischoff Paulus – 2015
“Abraham Lincoln’s Northwestern Approach to the Secession Crisis,” Rice University.
“Abraham Lincoln’s Northwestern Approach to the Secession Crisis,” Rice University.
Cynthia Nicoletti – 2012
“The Great Question of War: The Legal Status of Secession in the Aftermath of the American Civil War, 1865-1869,” University of Virginia.
“The Great Question of War: The Legal Status of Secession in the Aftermath of the American Civil War, 1865-1869,” University of Virginia.
Robert J. Johnson, Jr. – 2009
“Trial by Fire: Abraham Lincoln and the Law,” CUNY Graduate School and University Center.
“Trial by Fire: Abraham Lincoln and the Law,” CUNY Graduate School and University Center.
Jennifer Weber – 2005
“The Civil War and Northern Society,” Princeton University. The dissertation was then published as Copperheads: The Rise and Fall of Lincoln’s Opponents in the North, (Oxford University Press, 2006).
“The Civil War and Northern Society,” Princeton University. The dissertation was then published as Copperheads: The Rise and Fall of Lincoln’s Opponents in the North, (Oxford University Press, 2006).
Brian Dirck – 2002
“Mystic Chords: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, American Imagined Community, 1808-1860,” University of Kansas. Books: Lincoln and Davis: Imagining America, 1809-1865 (2001), Waging War on Trial: A Handbook with Cases, Laws, and Documents (On Trial) (2003).
“Mystic Chords: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, American Imagined Community, 1808-1860,” University of Kansas. Books: Lincoln and Davis: Imagining America, 1809-1865 (2001), Waging War on Trial: A Handbook with Cases, Laws, and Documents (On Trial) (2003).
Lincoln The Lawyer Award
The Lincoln the Lawyer Award recognizes individuals who reflect the character and ideals of Abraham Lincoln in their legal careers. The award is given infrequently.
Phillip C. Stone – 2025
Floyd Abrams – 2019
Hon. Frank J. Williams – 2010
Hon. Richard Mills – 1992
Hon. John B. Hannum – 1989
Hon. Abraham Lincoln Marovitz – 1985
James A. Lewis – 2022
Thomas S. Johnson – 2017
Elmer Gertz – 2000
John P. Frank – 1991
Hon. James R. Thompson – 1987
Tim Bertschy – 2020
Richard L. Thies – 2015
Joseph H. Hartzler – 1998
Hon. Harlington Wood Jr. – 1990
Hon. Robert C. Underwood – 1986
The Spirit of Lincoln Award
The Spirit of Lincoln Award recognizes individuals who have displayed the spirit of Abraham Lincoln in their professional careers for the betterment of humanity. The award itself is a bust of Abraham Lincoln by Illinois sculptor John McClarey specifically created for this award.
President Lincoln and his administration were the force behind many laws that Americans still feel the effects of today. The fact that he worked to improve the lives of Americans through legislation while serving as commander-in-chief during the Civil War inspired a committee of the ALA board members to create this annual award.
“His administration gave us several gifts which we still enjoy today,” said Dr. Wayne Temple, Distinguished Director of the ALA and Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Archives. “The Morrill Act gave federal lands to the States so that they might create land -grant colleges or universities one in each state. The National Bank Act improved banking. The Pacific Highway Act brought about the transcontinental railroad. The Homestead Act opened up the great West for settlement to those without large financial means.”
2018
Dr. Rodney Davis and Dr. Douglas Wilson, co-directors of the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College; and the co-editors of Herndon’s Lincoln and Herndon’s Informants.
2016
Bernice King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King, in memory of her parents.
2015
Rita B. Garman, former chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
2022
Randall T. Shepard, former Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.
2025
Dr. Edward Steers Jr.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes scholars who have made a significant impact on the field of Lincoln studies.
Wayne Temple (2020)
Dr. Wayne C. Temple is an internationally recognized authority on Abraham Lincoln. Virtually all researchers in the field of Lincoln history have availed themselves of his knowledge. He is among 30 individuals, from around the world, honored with a special Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial edition of the Order of Lincoln – the highest honor that can be awarded by the State of Illinois. Temple has held many positions, including: Curator Ethnohistory at the Illinois State Museum; Editor-in-Chief of the Lincoln Herald – the only quarterly journal on Abraham Lincoln in the world and the oldest such Lincoln publication, starting in 1897; Secretary-Treasurer of the National Lincoln-Civil War Council; Memorial Bibliography committee for Lincoln Lore; Editorial Advisory Board for the American Biographical Institute; Board of Governors for the St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children; and Trustee Regent for the Lincoln Academy. He also served as the Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Archives. He is a life fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, among many other organizations. Temple served under Eisenhower in Europe during World War II. He received a B.S. in Engineering, and an M.A. and a PhD. in history from the University of Illinois, where he was a research assistant to Prof. J.G. Randall, “Dean of the Lincoln Scholars.” He then earned his A.M. and Ph.D degrees under the direction of Prof. Randall and Prof. Richard N. Current. Among his books on the 16th President are Abraham Lincoln: From Skeptic to Prophet and By Square and Compass: Saga of the Lincoln Home.