2026 Distinguished Annual Lecture in History

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Integrative Learning Center
Academics
Lecture series
A close-up portrait of a middle-aged man with short brown hair, a light beard, and glasses. He is wearing a grey shawl-collar sweater over a blue and white checkered shirt. He stands in front of a large, colorful stained-glass window that serves as a blurred background. His expression is neutral and professional.

The Department of History's signature lecture, the Distinguished Annual Lecture, is delivered by leading historians on crucial historical topics. The 2026 Distinguished Annual Lecturer is award-winning author, journalist, and historian Howard W. French.

Drawing on his acclaimed 2025 book The Second Emancipation: Nkrumah, Pan-Africanism, and Global Blackness at High Tide, French will explore the deep history of Pan-Africanism, as well as Africa’s effaced centrality in 20th century history, from the world wars to the U.S. civil rights movement and the global education of Ghanaian politician Kwame Nkrumah.

This event is free and open to the public and a book signing will follow. Copies of Howard French’s books will be available for purchase from Amherst Books.

In person and On campus event posted in Academics

Integrative Learning Center

650 N. Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01003-1100
United States

Room N151