Weinstein Becomes Ninth U.S. Archivist

Information Management Journal, May/Jun 2005 by Swartz, Nikki

On February 16, Dr. Allen Weinstein, a scholar, professor of history, and recognized leader in global democracy issues, was sworn in as the ninth archivist of the United States by Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) at the U.S. Capitol. As archivist of the United States, Weinstein will oversee the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and its 33 facilities.

At the swearing-in ceremony, Weinstein said, "In April, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Archives independence. Under National Archivists during both Republican and Democratic presidencies, the tradition of nonpolitical and highest professional attention to the work involved has been the norm. It will continue to be so on my watch, as will an effort to deepen the interaction with Congress and with other government agencies. . ."

In a move that garnered much controversy, Weinstein was nominated by President Bush on April 8, 2004. The nomination caught the archivist community off-guard - then-current NARA head John W. Carlin had indicated his intention to serve until July 2005. According to the The Washington Post, the Bush administration approached Weinstein about the job in September 2003 and a few months later pushed Carlin to resign without providing any reason either to Congress or Carlin, a former Kansas governor nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1995. To date, no explanation has been given as to why the administration wanted to replace Carlin. The U.S. archivist's term in office is unlimited.

Archival groups said they were not consulted about the nomination, as has been the custom. Several, including the Society of American Archivists, relayed concerns about Weinstein's qualifications to be the U.S. archivist and questioned whether his nomination was politically motivated.

Most recently, Weinstein served as a senior advisor at IFES (International Foundation for Election Systems). From 1985 through 2003, he was founder, president, and CEO of The Center for Democracy, a non-partisan, non-profit organization. Recognition for his international contributions include the United Nations Peace Medal for "efforts to promote peace, dialogue and free elections in several critical parts of the world" (1986), the Council of Europe's Silver Medal (1990 and 1996), and awards from the presidents of Nicaragua and Romania for his efforts on behalf of democratization in those countries.

Weinstein has held two Senior Fulbright Lectureships, served as a Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the American Council of Learned Societies, and was a Commonwealth Fund Lecturer at the University of London, among other prominent positions. From 1982-1984, he directed the research study that led to creation of the National Endowment for Democracy and served as acting president.

Weinstein was university professor and professor of history at Boston University (1985-1989), professor at Georgetown University (1981-1984), and, from 1981 to 1983, he was executive editor of The Washington Quarterly at Georgetown's Center for Strategic and International Studies. He served as a member of The Washington Post editorial staff in 1981. From 1966-81 he was professor of history at Smith College and chairman of its American Studies Program. Weinstein was a founding member in 1985 of the board of directors of the United States Institute of Peace, remaining a director until 2001.

Publications by Weinstein include: The Story of America; The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in AmericaThe Stalin Era; Perjury: The HissChambers Case; and Freedom and Crisis: An American History. His articles and essays have appeared in a wide range of scholarly and popular publications.