Rhode Island is Searching for a New Historian Laureate

Rhode Island has a job opening right now that doesn’t come around too often. The state is accepting applications for the position of historian laureate.

The historian laureate delivers lectures about Rhode Island’s past at special events and formal ceremonies, provides historical information to state officials, and edits state-sponsored historical publications.

After serving in the role for more than a decade, Dr. Patrick Conley stepped down as historian laureate earlier this month. He says one thing that always impressed him about Rhode Island is the state’s outsized impact on American history.

“It was a foundation for religious liberty, separation of church and state, democracy, federalism, independence, the founding of the U. S. Navy,” Conley said. “It’s always been like Rodney Dangerfield. It gets no respect. It’s totally overshadowed by Massachusetts.”

Conley has written 27 books on Rhode Island’s history on subjects ranging from the state’s founders to its constitution. He’s spent much of his time recently giving talks around the state about historical figures.

Conley says the next historian laureate should be a good speaker who has extensive knowledge of Rhode Island history. He says it’s also important to avoid injecting ideology into the position.

“Don’t use it as a sounding pulpit for your own personal views,” Conley said. “Try to stick to history as you’ve researched it and strongly believe it to be. Don’t make it partisan.”

Secretary of State Gregg Amore will appoint the next historian laureate after the candidates are vetted by a review committee.

Applications for the position are due by February 21.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio.