The Richard Nelson Current
Award of Achievement

The Lincoln Forum's annual achievement award was established in 1996, and renamed in 1998 for founding advisor Richard Nelson Current, the dean of Lincoln scholars. The award is a statuette titled "Freedom River" created by acclaimed sculpture John McClarey of Decatur, Illinois. The award has been given to the following individuals, acknowledging their contributions to the spirit of Lincoln in both word and deed.

• 2007 Jeff Shaara
• 2006 Doris Kearns Goodwin & Charles DeForest Platt
• 2005 John McClarey and Frank J. Williams
• 2004 John Y. Simon
• 2003 Sam Waterston
• 2002 James M. McPherson
• 2001 Garry Wills
• 2000 David Herbert Donald & Richard Nelson Current
• 1999 Former U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois
• 1998 John Hope Franklin
• 1997 Brian Lamb
• 1996 Gabor S. Borrit

The 2007 award winner, the most popular and acclaimed historical novelist of our time,
Jeff Shaara receives his award from Forum Chairman, Frank J. Williams
and Vice-Chairman, Harold Holzer.
Photo: Henry Ballone

The 2006 recipient, Doris Kearns Goodwin accepts her award from
Frank J. Williams and Harold Holzer
Photo: Henry Ballone

Sculpture artist John McClarey and Frank J. Williams were the recipients of the
2005 Lincoln Forum Richard Nelson Current Award of Achievement
Photo: Henry Ballone


Frank J. Williams and Harold Holzer present the 2004 Richard Nelson Current award to John Y. Simon, a respected authority on Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
Photo: Henry Ballone

Harold Holzer, award winner Sam Waterston & Frank J. Williams at the 2003 award dinner
Photo: Henry Ballone

Frank J. Williams, James M. McPherson & Harold Holzer at the 2002 award dinner
Photo: Henry Ballone

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