Ken Burns awarded $250,000 David M. Rubenstein Prize

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has been named the inaugural recipient of the David M. Rubenstein Prize for the Advancement of American History. The $250,000 award, presented by The New York Historical, recognizes his significant contributions to promoting the understanding of American history.

A prize jury, which included Pulitzer Prize winners Annette Gordon-Reed and Jon Meacham, cited Burns’ work for reflecting “our highest aspirations.” His documentary subjects have spanned major historical eras, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War.

Burns expressed that he was “hugely appreciative and humbled” by the recognition, noting that his films rely on the collective work of historians and archivists to engage in a conversation about national identity.