The New York Academy of History has selected University of Oklahoma Professor Robert Lifset's book, "Power on the Hudson, Storm King Mountain and the Emergence of Modern America Environmentalism," to receive the 2016 Herbert H. Lehman Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in New York history.

In his book, Lifset describes the history of a landmark environmental struggle in the Hudson River Valley between the 1960s and the 1970s. He explores how both the utility industry and environmentalism changed throughout those years.

“Dr. Lifset is an outstanding scholar and fully merits this exceptional recognition,” said OU President David L. Boren. “He is an outstanding contributor to the strength of academic excellence at the University of Oklahoma.”

In announcing the award, New York Academy of History President and Columbia University Professor Kenneth Jackson said, "This award, named in honor of Governor Herbert H. Lehman, is part of the New York Academy of History’s mission to promote and honor outstanding historical research and writing."

The winner was selected by jury from more than 60 submissions for prizes for scholarship for 2013, 2014, and 2015.

At OU, Lifset is the Donald Keith Jones Associate Professor of Honors & History in the Honors College, where he has taught environmental and energy history.

In addition to his teaching duties, Lifset serves on the OU Budget Committee. He also serves as faculty liaison for the BP INSPIRE scholarship program. Prior to joining the history faculty at OU in 2008, he served as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Houston. He has taught at Barnard College, Columbia University and the University of North Florida.

Author of various published articles and book reviews on energy and environmentalism, his research interests focus on energy history, which includes the business, policy, political, environmental, social and cultural history of energy with a focus on the United States in the 20th century.

A graduate of Columbia University, Lifset is also a founding editor of H-Energy, an online, interdisciplinary website devoted to the study of energy history.

About the New York Academy of History

The New York Academy of History is a professional organization devoted to the study and teaching of the history of the City and State of New York. Membership is by invitation. Elected Fellows are historians, independent scholars, public historians, museum curators and administrators, educators, archivists, and others with a demonstrated record of achievement and publications. The Academy publishes a newsletter, maintains a website, sponsors conferences, and awards prizes.