The Cary and Ann Maguire Chair in Ethics and American History was established to explore the history of America with special attention to the ethical dimensions of domestic economic, political,

The Chairholder, who is appointed by the Librarian of Congress, conducts research on the ethical issues associated with leadership in the United States and/or on the ethical implications of significant issues, events and movements in American History.

The research includes, but is not limited to, the conduct of politics and of government at all levels of American life and in all branches of government, and at the role in religion, business, urban affairs, law, science and medicine in the ethical dimension of leadership.

The goal is for research that will illuminate the responsible use of ethical knowledge for the public good. The Chairholder concentrates on domestic American matters with special emphasis on how law relates to ethics, and it is hoped that the Chairholder will add new substance to the intellectual and ethical life of the Capital. It is also hoped that the Chairholder will pursue a new and refreshing voice in the intellectual milieu of Washington, D.C., and will bring both philosophical depth and historical perspective to the research.

A major address towards the end of the Chairholder's tenure is one of the major intellectual occasions at the Library of Congress.

Chair Holders

Robin Lovin (2013)

• News release (coming soon)

John Witte, Jr. (2012)

• News release: John Witte Jr. Named to the Cary and Ann Maguire Chair In Ethics and American History at the Kluge Center [July 13, 2012]
• Lecture: "Sharia in the West?  What Place for Faith-Based Family Laws in Liberal Democracies?" [November 1, 2012]

James F. Childress (2010)

• News release: James Childress Appointed to Maguire Chair in Ethics and American History [January 25, 2010]
• News release: Ethics Expert Discusses Unresolved Tensions in American Health Care on May 6 [April 21, 2010]
• Webcast: Respecting Conscience, Protecting Patients: Unresolved Tensions in American Health Care [May 5, 2010]

William F. May (2007)

• News release: William F. May Appointed to Maguire Chair in American History at the John W. Kluge Center [Septebmer 20, 2007]
• News release: William F. May To Discuss "Containing Fear in Foreign Policy" at the Library of Congress Nov. 29 [Nov. 13, 2007]
• Webcast: Containing Runaway Fear in Foreign Policy: Recovering Our National Identity [Nov. 29, 2007]
• News release: William May to Discuss “Testing the National Covenant,” Feb. 29 [January 25, 2012 ]
• Webcast: Testing the National Covenant: Fears and Appetites in American Politics [February 29, 2012]

2006 - Louis Galambos

• News release: Louis Galambos Appointed to Maguire Chair in American History at the John W. Kluge Center in the Library of Congress [January 17, 2006]
• News release: Louis Galambos Discusses "Business in History" on June 14 [May 26, 2006]
• Webcast: Business in History [June 14, 2006]

2004 - Mark Noll

• News release: Mark A. Noll Appointed to Cary and Ann Maguire Chair in American History and Ethics at Library of Congress John W. Kluge Center [June 1, 2004]
• News release: Mark Noll to Discuss "The Bible in American Public Life, 1860-2005" on April 21 [March 16, 2005]
• Webcast: The Bible in American Public Life, 1860-2005 [April 21, 2005]

2003 - Jean Bethke Elshtain

• Lecture: Library of Congress Maguire Chair Holder Jean Bethke Elshtain To Speak on Nov. 12 [November 3, 2003]
• Webcast: Harry Potter, St. Augustine and the Confrontation with Evil [November 12, 2003]

2001 - John T. Noonan

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