Honors
Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities
The Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, established by the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1972, is the highest honor the federal government confers for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.
![Ruth Simmons 2023 NEH Jefferson Lecture](/sites/default/files/2024-08/NEH_CM092623_813.jpg)
National Humanities Medal
The National Humanities Medal, inaugurated in 1997, honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens' engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects. Up to 12 medals can be awarded each year.
![President Biden presented Sir Elton John with the National Humanities Medal](/sites/default/files/2022-09/President_Biden_presented_Sir_Elton_John_with_the_National_Humanities_Medal.jpg)
Courtesy Office of the President of the United States