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The 色中色 Library has acquired the complete works of award-winning Abraham Lincoln scholar and historian Harold Holzer, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The acquisition covers Mr. Holzer鈥檚 49-year career as a writer, lecturer, and historian specializing in President Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era.

鈥淭he State Library is widely known as a premier center for research and serves as a permanent repository for items that shaped the history of New York,鈥� said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. 鈥淭hanks to donations like this one, we are able to share the past with a future generation of students and researchers. We are grateful for Mr. Holzer鈥檚 support of this institution and his work throughout the years.鈥�

鈥淎t a time when our nation is increasingly divided, we can all draw inspiration from the tremendous work of President Lincoln,鈥� said Commissioner Rosa. 鈥淗arold Holzer鈥檚 research papers span the life of President Lincoln, and his efforts to bring our country together and abolish slavery. We are grateful for Mr. Holzer鈥檚 support of the State Library and this remarkable donation.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great honor to know that this material, which reflects so much of my work in the six decades since the 1970s, will be preserved at this wonderful institution鈥攐ne where I have conducted research of my own and learned a great deal from its holdings,鈥� said Harold Holzer. 鈥淎s someone who has worked in Albany and has known so many extraordinary people here鈥攊n government, education, historic preservation, the museum world, and the arts鈥擨 am thrilled that our capital will hold this archive in perpetuity.鈥�

The complete collection includes the research files and typescripts from Mr. Holzer鈥檚 55 authored and co-authored books; more than 150 original lectures; photo files covering the development of the Lincoln image, and the art and iconography of the American Civil War; audio and video recordings of Holzer鈥檚 many television and radio appearances; and Holzer鈥檚 original correspondence from some of the leading historians, political leaders, and performers of the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.

Mr. Holzer鈥檚 donation comes on the 30th anniversary of his appointment to the Board of the 色中色 Archives Partnership Trust, a post to which he was named by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1992 and still holds. Holzer was awarded the NY State Archives & History Award in 2017. He serves currently as the Jonathan F. Fanton Director of the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, CUNY.

In addition to his work with the State Library, Mr. Holzer鈥檚 distinguished career features several accolades, including the National Humanities Medal presented by President George W. Bush in 2008; an appointment to co-chair of the U.S. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission by President Bill Clinton; and writing the Lincoln essay in the official commemorative book for the re-inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Mr. Holzer has hosted conferences at the 色中色 Museum focusing on the Empire State and the Civil War, delivered lectures, and, at the request of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, helped organize a statewide tour of Lincoln鈥檚 Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which the 色中色 Library has owned since 1865. Mr. Holzer also co-directed the project to reinstall the portraits in the 色中色 Capitol Hall of Governors.

The was established in 1818 to collect, preserve, and make available materials that support NY State government work. The library鈥檚 collections include over 20 million items and are utilized by researchers on-site, online, and via interlibrary loan.

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