SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution

The SAR sponsors an annual academic conference for university-level study of the American Revolution.  The specific topic of each SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution varies.  But the purpose remains the same, and is two-fold:

1. To have an intellectually stimulating conference; and,
2. To produce a peer-reviewed volume of the papers presented at each conference

The SAR names an SAR Distinguished Scholar to facilitate the SAR Annual Conference.  Previous SAR Distinguished Scholars have included Robert M.S. McDonald from the United States Military Academy at West Point; Barbara Oberg from Princeton University; Andrew O’Shaughnessy from the University of Virginia; Richard Samuelson from California State, San Bernadino; and Gabriel Paquette from Johns Hopkins University.

The 2019 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution will be “Women Waging War in the American Revolution.” Holly A. Mayer from Duquesne University will serve as the SAR Distinguished Scholar. This Conference shall be dedicated to Carol Berkin. The 2019 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution will be co-sponsored by the Museum of the American Revolution.

For more information or for a copy of the Call for Papers for an upcoming SAR Annual Conference, please contact Joseph W. Dooley.

The guiding principle of the SAR Annual Conference is articulated by Thomas Jefferson in his letter to William Roscoe of December 27, 1820.  Mr. Jefferson wrote about the University of Virginia, the establishment he was then supervising,

“Here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead,

nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.”

Please support the SAR Annual Conference with your generous donation today!

Past SAR Annual Conferences have included:

2018

“Spain and the American Revolution”

Gabriel Paquette served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to Sylvia L. Hilton and David Armitage.

The 2018 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution was co-sponsored by Johns Hopkins University.

 

2017

“The Adams Family and the American Revolution”

Richard A. Samuelson served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to the memory of Lyman H. Butterfield.

 

2016

“Empires of Liberty and the American Revolution”

Richard A. Samuelson served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to Jack P. Greene.

 

2015

“The Marquis de Lafayette and the European Friends of the American Revolution”

Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to the memory of Jacques Godechot and Robert R. Palmer.

The 2015 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution was co-sponsored by George Washington’s Mount Vernon.  

 

2014

“Women in the Era of the American Revolution”

Barbara Oberg served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to the memory of Pauline Maier.

The 2014 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution was co-sponsored by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, with support from the Omohundro Institute for Early American History and Culture.

 

2013

“Revolutionary Prophecies: The Founders on the Future”

Robert M.S. McDonald served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to the memory of Lance Banning.

 

2012

“Thomas Jefferson’s Lives: Biography as a Construction of History”

Robert M.S. McDonald served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to Peter S. Onuf.

The 2012 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution was co-sponsored by the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello.

 

2011

Slavery & Liberty: Black Patriots of the American Revolution”

Robert M.S. McDonald served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to the memory of Benjamin A. Quarles.

 

2010

“Sons of the Father: George Washington and His Protégés”

Robert M.S. McDonald served as the SAR Distinguished Scholar.

This Conference was dedicated to the memory of Don Higginbotham.

The 2010 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution was co-sponsored by George Washington’s Mount Vernon.  This was the first SAR Annual Conference. The papers from this conference were published by the University of Virginia Press as Sons of the Father: George Washington and His Protégés.