About Us

The Department of History thrives on its close relationship with many other departments, centers and area studies programs in the humanities and social sciences at Cornell. The faculty includes more than a dozen prize-winning authors as well as winners of Cornell’s prestigious teaching and advising awards.

Spotlight on History Alumni

Photograph David Langbert courtesy of National Archives

History Alum and Diplomatic Records Archivist Receives Foreign Policy Prize

History Degree Shines Light on Alumna's Real Estate Business Career

A Career in Corporate Finance ~ How My History Degree Helped Me Get There

Popular Destinations

Department Contacts and Administration Cornell Historical Society Public History Initiative

History Events

Mar 03

Monday 12:15 PM

Prophetic Maharaja: Loss, Sovereignty, and the Sikh Tradition in Colonial South Asia

Uris Hall G08

Mar 07

Friday 04:00 PM

LaFeber-Silbey Lecture: Boundary Work: Critical Global and Transnational Histories in an Unequal World

Goldwin Smith Hall G64

Mar 10

Monday 05:00 PM

Panel Discussion: What is a Humanities Lab? From Literature to AI

700 Clark Hall Room 700

Mar 13

Thursday 05:00 PM

Institutional Genes: The Origins of China’s Institutions and Totalitarianism

Physical Sciences Building 120

Mar 17

Monday 12:15 PM

Rights, Sovereignty, and Resistance: Rethinking the Cantonment in Colonial South Asia

Uris Hall G08

Mar 17

Monday 05:30 PM

No Way to Treat A Child: How the Foster Care System, Family Courts, and Racial Activists Are Wrecking Young Lives

Statler Hall 198 198

See all events

History News

Cornell's central campus with lake beyond

Cornell Center for Social Sciences names 2025-26 Faculty Fellows

12 faculty members from seven colleges have been named 2025-26 Faculty Fellows with the Cornell Center for Social Sciences.

Black and white historic photo of Don Stanton '72, wearing a Navy uniform

How Naval ROTC shaped my years on the Hill, and beyond

It wasn’t easy being in uniform during the Vietnam War era, but military service made Don Stanton '72 a better student—and a better man, he writes in a Chime In essay for Cornellians

After three years of war in Ukraine, Cornell experts assess endgame

On he third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Cornell University experts discuss sanctions and the state of US and European support for Ukraine.

A wide river dividing two banks with a bridge in the distance

U.S.-Canada relationship entering ‘sad chapter’

The U.S. president's collective actions against Canada have needlessly harmed a long-cherished and close relationship says Jon Parmenter, a professor of North American history.

Orange red and white horizontal streaks of light under a dark blue sky, showing automobile traffic in motion at night

New Klarman Fellows to join the College of Arts and Sciences

Fellows will pursue research in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Explore home space in a teenage sitcom during upcoming lecture

"Sanctuary from the Storm: Making (My) Room with The Torkelsons," will explore Sheppard’s fondness for the 1990s television show and what the show’s representation of home spaces can tell us about the way television influences living practices.

Concerto Competition announces three winners

This year's Cornell Concerto competition honored three students as winners.

Black and white historic photo of Ezra Cornell, frowning and holding a pen.

‘Good health, tempered courage, and sound common sense’

Those are the gifts that fate gave Ezra Cornell, per one historian. Here’s a look at his life—from humble beginnings to great wealth.

More History News