Today in History: Michael Bellesiles resigns.

Emory University website ^ | October 25, 2002 | Robert A. Paul

[jim_trent]

Michael Bellesiles Resigns from Emory Faculty

October 25, 2002

Robert A. Paul, Interim Dean of Emory College

I have accepted the resignation of Michael Bellesiles from his position as Professor of History at Emory University, effective December 31, 2002.

Although we would not normally release any of the materials connected with a case involving the investigation of faculty misconduct in research, in light of the intense scholarly interest in the matter I have decided, with the assent of Professor Bellesiles as well as of the members of the Investigative Committee, to make public the report of the Investigative Committee appointed by me to evaluate the allegations made against Professor Bellesiles (none of the supporting documents, however, are being made public). The text of the report is now available online at www.emory.edu/central/NEWS/.

Emory considers the report authoritative.

In conducting this investigation, Emory has scrupulously observed the procedures laid out in our published policy statement regarding matters of alleged research misconduct. Throughout the investigation process our efforts have been guided by the objectives of maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity, while also striving to ensure the confidentiality of the proceedings and to protect the rights of a member of Emory's faculty.

The Investigative Committee was chaired by Stanley N. Katz, Professor of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, and included Hanna H. Gray, Judson Distinguished Professor of History Emerita and President Emerita, University of Chicago, and Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, James Duncan Phillips Professor of History, Harvard University. I hereby express my appreciation to these distinguished scholars for contributing their effort and expertise to the resolution of this matter of such great importance not only to Emory but to the wider scholarly community. Committee members have stated that they will not discuss or respond to questions about the investigation or the report.

Emory also wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to Professor Bellesiles for his many years of service and his many valuable contributions to the University.

Emory now considers the investigation of allegations of research misconduct against Professor Bellesiles in connection with his book Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture to be concluded and resolved.

[jim_trent]

Of course, the resignation was no effective until December 31st, but as if this date, Mikes goose was cooked.

I believe that this is also the day that Paul Wellstone died, too.

[nralife]

NYTimes 12/14/2002 Bancroft Prize yanked

The prize had been awarded to Michael A. Bellesiles for "Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture," published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2000.

This is the first revocation of a Bancroft Prize since it was first awarded in 1948.

The Columbia trustees reached their decision after reviewing other scholars' assessments, and they "concluded that he had violated basic norms of scholarship and the high standards expected of Bancroft Prize winners," according to a statement released yesterday

http://www.wmsa.net/news/NYTimes/nyt-021214_bancroft_bellesiles.htm

[sgtbono2002]

Somebody ping me when they fire the fake Indian from Colorado University.

[jrp]

His book was fake, but accurate.

[KC Burke]

His book was fake, but accurate.

LOL, Dan, I didn't know that since you had left the CBS Evening News that you had had a chance to register, aquire a screen name and log-on.

[Buzwardo]

It's pretty good humor: the Brady Bunch still has a press release up on their site congratulating this fraud for winning the Bancroft prize. Guess they can't bear to toss any swill out of the trough.

[FreedomPoster]

Did Columbia U. and the Bancroft Prize people ever have the integrity to rescind the prize they gave to Bellesiles?

I regret I never had a chance to personally FReep Bellesiles. The one good opportunity, before his resignation, where he had a public speaking event in ATL, I was out of town.

[jim_trent]

Yes, they did:

http://chronicle.com/errors.dir/noauthorization.php3?page=/daily/2002/12/2002121604n.htm

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.nationalreview.com/15oct01/seckora101501.shtml
http://www.nationalreview.com/nr_comment/nr_comment012902.shtml
http://www.nationalreview.com/seckora/seckora102802.asp

http://www.reason.com/0303/fe.jm.disarming.shtml

http://www.claytoncramer.com/unpublished.htm