Paul K. Longmore, Ph.D. 1984 - History

Paul K. Longmore is an internationally recognized activist, historian, and spokesperson for the rights of people with disabilities.  A pioneer in the field of disability studies, Professor Longmore helped to establish and now directs the Institute on Disability Studies at San Francisco State University (SFSU).  He has served as professor of history at SFSU for 13 years. 

A prolific author, Professor Longmore has published three books and dozens of articles in early American history and the history of people with disabilities.  His publications include The Invention of George Washington (University of California Press, 1988; paperback University Press of Virginia, 1998), which is based on his CGU dissertation, and Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability (Temple University Press, 2003).  He co-edited The New Disability History:  American Perspectives (New York University Press, 2000) and is co-editing The History of Disability book series for NYU Press. 

Professor Longmore is the recipient of numerous grants and fellowships, including a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities at Stanford University.  He co-directed the first National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute on Disability Studies and a National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research study to examine the impact of disability studies curricula. 

In March, Professor Longmore received the prestigious Henry B. Betts Award from the American Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.  The award is given to “honor an individual whose work and scope of influence have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past, and will be a force for change in the future.” 

A highly sought-after scholar and expert on disability issues, Professor Longmore has appeared on ABC’s Nightline, ABC’s World News Tonight, NBC’s Today, and National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition, as well as in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, McCall’s, and TV Guide.  He was featured in the documentary film “George Washington:  The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King” on PBS. 

Professor Longmore earned his bachelors and masters degrees at Occidental College.  He completed his Ph.D. in History at CGU and is a member of the CGU Alumni Hall of Fame.