But it also has something to do with the kind of historian he is.
Does that make the role of historian more crucial as an exposer of myth?
"We are getting better," he said, pointing to the high-profile example of historian Mary Beard.
Much of the credit goes to the curator Olivier Saillard, who is a rare combination of historian and showman.
In the judgment of historian Barbara Fields, "full-scale recruitment put an end to slavery in Maryland".
This week, those contracts were released, and show no mention of historian duties; it was old-fashioned influence peddling.
A kind of historian at only 47, Mr. Cornell also acknowledged his own classic-rock hall of fame.
"He was the kind of historian who never believed that his interpretation was the last word," Mr. Meacham said.
Anthony Gibb, son of historian Sir Philip, became chairman and, having his own publishing ambitions, ousted him.
DANCING review of the Judson Dance Theatre retrospective by White Oak... Baryshnikov has taken another step, has become a sort of historian of modern dance.
Professor Aktar's contribution – along with that of historian Taner Akcam in the US — to the truth of Turkish-Armenian history is almost unique.
