The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities, broadened citizens’ engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to important resources in the humanities.
The award, given by the National Endowment for the Humanities, was first established in 1988 as the Charles Frankel Prize. In 1997 it was renamed the National Humanities Medal. Medal recipients receive a bronze medal designed by 1995 Frankel Prize winner David Macaulay.
Lists of the winners of the National Humanities Medal are available at the NEH website.