# Gerda Lerner

> Austrian-American women's history scholar (1920-2013)

**Wikidata**: [Q85102](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q85102)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerda_Lerner)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gerda-lerner

## Summary
Gerda Lerner was an Austrian-American scholar of women's history, born on April 30, 1920, and passing away on January 2, 2013. She was a pioneering historian, university teacher, writer, and educator, recognized for her significant contributions to the field of women's history and her affiliations with several prominent academic institutions.

## Biography
- Born: April 30, 1920
- Died: January 2, 2013
- Nationality: Austrian, American
- Education: Columbia University, The New School
- Known for: Pioneering work as a women's history scholar, historian, and educator
- Employer(s): The New School, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Sarah Lawrence College
- Field(s): Women's history, history, education, writing

## Contributions
Gerda Lerner significantly contributed to academia as a historian, university teacher, writer, screenwriter, autobiographer, educator, author, and translator. She was a member of the National Organization for Women, an American feminist organization founded in 1966, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a United States honorary society established in 1780, where she was also recognized as a Fellow. Her work was acknowledged through numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship (inception 1925), the Käthe Leichter Prize (an Austrian prize for women's research, gender studies, and gender equality), and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (inception 1955). She also received the Bruce Catton Prize, an award conferred by the Society of American Historians, which was established in 1984.

## FAQs
**When and where was Gerda Lerner born and when did she pass away?**
Gerda Lerner was born on April 30, 1920. She passed away on January 2, 2013.

**What were Gerda Lerner's nationalities and primary occupations?**
Gerda Lerner held both Austrian and American citizenship. Her primary occupations included being a women's history scholar, historian, university teacher, writer, and educator.

**Which academic institutions was Gerda Lerner affiliated with during her career?**
Gerda Lerner was employed by The New School, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Sarah Lawrence College. She also received education from Columbia University and The New School, and was affiliated with Duke University.

**What honors and awards did Gerda Lerner receive?**
Gerda Lerner was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Käthe Leichter Prize, and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art. She also received the Bruce Catton Prize from the Society of American Historians and was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, she held honorary doctorates from the University of Vienna, Columbia University, and Harvard University.

## Why They Matter
Gerda Lerner matters as a foundational figure in the field of women's history, whose scholarship and educational efforts helped establish and legitimize the study of women's experiences within academic discourse. Her work as a historian, university teacher, and educator shaped generations of scholars and students, fundamentally altering how history is understood and taught by integrating women's perspectives. As an author and autobiographer, she contributed significantly to the body of literature on women's lives and historical roles. Her recognition through prestigious awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Käthe Leichter Prize, along with honorary doctorates from institutions such as Harvard and Columbia, underscores the profound impact and high regard for her intellectual contributions. Without her pioneering efforts, the academic landscape of women's history would be considerably less developed, and the understanding of historical narratives would remain less inclusive.

## Notable For
*   Pioneering Austrian-American women's history scholar.
*   Recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant in the arts.
*   Awarded the Käthe Leichter Prize, an Austrian prize for women's research, gender studies, and gender equality in the workplace.
*   Honored with the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art, an Austrian award established in 1955.
*   Received the Bruce Catton Prize, conferred by the Society of American Historians, established in 1984.
*   Granted honorary doctorates from the University of Vienna, Columbia University, and Harvard University.
*   A Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a United States honorary society.
*   Member of the National Organization for Women, an American feminist organization.
*   Served as a university teacher at The New School, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Sarah Lawrence College.

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Gerda Lerner, also known by her birth name Gerda Hedwig Kronstein, was born on April 30, 1920. She was an Austrian citizen by birth. Later in her life, she also became an American citizen, reflecting her dual national identity. She passed away on January 2, 2013.

### Education and Academic Journey
Lerner pursued her higher education in the United States, attending both Columbia University and The New School. Her academic pursuits laid the groundwork for her distinguished career as a scholar. She later received honorary doctorates from several esteemed institutions, including the University of Vienna in Austria, Columbia University in the United States, and Harvard University in the United States.

### Professional Career and Employment
Throughout her career, Gerda Lerner held positions as a university teacher at multiple institutions. She was employed by The New School, a private university in New York founded in 1919. She also taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a public research university in Madison, Wisconsin, established in 1848. Additionally, Lerner was an employer at Sarah Lawrence College, a private liberal arts college in the United States, founded in 1926. She was also affiliated with Duke University, a private university in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 1838.

### Occupations and Contributions to Scholarship
Gerda Lerner's professional life encompassed a wide array of roles, primarily centered on history and education. She was recognized as a historian, with a specific focus on women's history. Beyond her teaching roles, she was a prolific writer and author, contributing to literature as an autobiographer and screenwriter. Her skills also extended to translation. As an educator, she played a crucial role in shaping academic discourse.

### Memberships and Affiliations
Gerda Lerner was a member of significant organizations that aligned with her academic and social interests. She was a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), an American feminist organization founded in 1966. She was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a United States honorary society and policy research center established in 1780. Her standing in the academic community was further solidified by her recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was also a member of the Society of American Historians.

### Awards and Recognitions
Lerner's profound impact on her field was acknowledged through numerous awards and honors. She was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, a prestigious grant in the arts awarded annually in the United States since 1925. From her native Austria, she received the Käthe Leichter Prize, an award dedicated to women's research, gender studies, and gender equality in the workplace. She was also bestowed with the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art, an Austrian award established in 1955. In the United States, she was honored with the Bruce Catton Prize, an award conferred by the Society of American Historians, which was established in 1984. Her academic achievements were further celebrated with honorary doctorates from the University of Vienna, Columbia University, and Harvard University.

## References

1. Catalog of the German National Library
2. American Women Historians, 1700s-1990s: A Biographical Dictionary
3. BnF authorities
4. American Women Writers
5. Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators
6. Guggenheim Fellows database
7. [Source](https://sah.columbia.edu/content/prizes/bruce-catton-prize)
8. [Source](https://www.harvard.edu/on-campus/commencement/honorary-degrees)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. CiNii Research
11. Integrated Authority File
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. [Source](https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/sch00275/catalog)
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. SNAC
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. CONOR.SI
18. Autoritats UB
19. LIBRIS. 2018
20. Catalogo of the National Library of India