Catherine Dunlop, professor of history and philosophy at Montana State University, has received two awards from the American Historical Association for her new book, The Mistral: A Windswept History of Modern France (University of Chicago Press, 2024). The monograph received the association’s J. Russell Major Prize in French History, which is awarded annually for the best work in English on French history, as well as the George L. Moose Prize, which is presented annually to an outstanding scholarly work on the cultural history of Europe since 1500.
The Mistral examines how the violent and uncontrollable Mistral wind in southern France has shaped the region’s landscapes, industry, and culture for centuries, while also playing a key role in shaping the course of modern French history. Based on the research she conducted for her latest book, Dr. Dunlop created a senior-level seminar course on nature and culture in Europe. She is currently working on her next book, which will explore the role of environmental knowledge in the planning, execution and aftermath of the D-Day landings at Normandy.
A graduate of Stanford University in California, Dr. Dunlop holds two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. from Yale University.