I am delighted to announce that Wonders & Marvels has been awarded the Cliopatria 2011 for “Best Group Blog.” The Cliopatria Awards are given annually by the History News Network at George Mason University for the best in history blogging.
Here’s what the judges had to say:
Best Group Blog:
Wonders and Marvels This blog is impressive for the large number of contributors and the level of research that clearly goes into each post. It manages to be both generally accessible and academically relevant. It features excellent illustrations and is a great looking blog.
As founder and editor of Wonders & Marvels, I have to say that this award is an important landmark in the life of the blog. Wonders & Marvels began about 4 years ago as a classroom experiment at Vanderbilt University. Since then, I would not be able to count the number of smart posts that my students, academic colleagues, fellow writers, and–most recently–our fantastic Monthly Contributors (see right side-bar) have offered up. Each of their posts have brought interest, depth, and extraordinary expertise to the site.
Speaking of expertise, we’re also lucky to have Lindsey Fitzharris among our monthly contributors. Lindsey’s The Chirugeon’s Apprentice took home the “Best Individual Blog” award. From the Cliopatria judges: “The Chirugeon’s Apprentice is ‘dedicated to the horrors of pre-anaesthetic surgery,’ but this creative and impeccably crafted blog accomplishes much more…the blog brings medical history to a broader audience.” And how! If you’re not reading Lindsey’s site (or W&M for that matter), you’re missing out!
My sincere thanks go out to the W&M readers and the hundreds of writers who have made it what it is. A big thanks, as well, to Sumy Designs for their help in making W&M a “great looking blog.”
Looks like 2012 is shaping up to be a great year!