University of Virginia Library

Erikson Named
Jefferson Lecturer

By LYNN STERN

Author and professor Erik
H. Erikson has been named the
Jefferson Lecturer in the
Humanities by the National
Endowment for the
Humanities.

Mr. Erikson was selected for
the honor from among 200
nominees by the National
Council on the Humanities.
The Council, selected by
presidential appointment, is
comprised of 26
"citizen-humanists"

The Jefferson Lecturer,
according to National Council
Chairman Ronald S. Berman,
should be particularly valued
for the ability to speak from a
background of interdisciplinary
studies to the central concerns
of the humanities."

Mr. Erikson was awarded the
Pulitzer Prize and the National
Book Award in 1970 in the
field of philosophy and religion
for his book "Gandhi's
Truth." He is considered by
his contemporaries to be the
most widely read
psychoanalyst in America
today.

Mr. Erikson has published
almost 100 times His works
are concerned with history,
religion, education and the
social sciences. His book
"Identity: Youth and Crisis,"
published in 1968, introduced
the currently popular term
"identity crisis."

Mr. Erikson has taught at
eight schools, including

Harvard, the Yale School of
Medicine and the University of
California. He holds honorary
degrees from the University of
California, Loyola and Yale.

In fulfillment of the
Jefferson Lecture in the
Humanities, Mr. Erikson will
deliver two lectures in
Washington. D.C next April
which will be published after
delivery. The award includes a
$10,000 grant.

The National Endowment
for the Humanities created the
Lectureship to "help bridge the
gap between learning and
public affairs by enabling
thinkers of international
reputation to bring their
wisdom, knowledge and
experience to bear on
contemporary concerns."