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October 15, 2010

Library of Congress Seeks Applicants and Nominations for Kemp Scholar in Political Economy

The Library of Congress is accepting applications and nominations for the Kemp Scholar in Political Economy, a distinguished senior research position in the Library’s John W. Kluge Center. Applications and nominations must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 15. For further information, visit www.loc.gov/loc/kluge/fellowships/kemp.html.

The Kemp Scholar will be in residence at the Library of Congress for a period—normally nine months—beginning in September, with a stipend of $13,500 per month. Using the research facilities and services of the Library, the scholar is expected to engage in research on an aspect of political economy and "The American Idea."

"The American Idea" is defined as the basic principles of equality, opportunity and inclusion. It maintains that the proposition in the Declaration of Independence—"all men are created equal"—applies to everyone; that all persons should have the opportunity to rise as high as their talents and efforts can carry them, and that while all must move ahead, no one should be left behind.

The scholar, who can be of any nationality, will conduct research that leads to a publishable book or article that draws upon the Library’s unparalleled collections, with special emphasis on the Jack F. Kemp Collection.

The Kemp Scholar position is made possible by the generous donations of the Jack Kemp Foundation. The position is part of the Kemp Legacy Project within the Library, which also includes Kemp’s collected papers held in the Manuscript Division.

At a celebratory event in July 2010, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said, "Jack Kemp was a beloved and extraordinary American, who could be as inspiring on the podium as he was on the gridiron. We are pleased to be able to offer his papers for future research. His family’s support for further scholarship through the Kluge Center will benefit the thinking world for years to come."

The Kemp Scholar joins several other distinguished chairs in the Kluge Center, including the Henry Alfred Kissinger Chair in Foreign Policy and International Relations.

Through a generous endowment from John W. Kluge, the Library of Congress established the Kluge Center in 2000 to bring together the world’s best thinkers to stimulate and energize one another to distill wisdom from the Library’s rich resources and to interact with policymakers in Washington. For further information on the Kluge Center, visit www.loc.gov/loc/kluge/.

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PR 10-234
10/15/10
ISSN 0731-3527

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