National Archives Announces New Director of Johnson Presidential Library and Museum
Press Release · Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Washington, DC

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero today announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Atwood Lawrence as the new Director of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, effective January 5, 2020.

“I can think of no one more fitting than Dr. Lawrence to head the Library and Museum of the 'Education President' than one who has spent a career using primary source materials to educate students and scholars," said Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero. "With his extensive knowledge of the 1960s, proven scholarship, and experience in museum design and planning, Dr. Lawrence is uniquely qualified to lead this Library and Museum."

Dr. Lawrence is a long-time innovator and leader in the history profession. For the past 18 years, he has taught a range of undergraduate and graduate history courses at the University of Texas at Austin.  Specializing in American politics and diplomacy, Dr. Lawrence taught extensively on American history, the history of U.S. foreign relations, the 1960s, and the Cold War. In recent years, he has also served as the Director of Graduate Studies for UT-Austin’s Clements Center for National Security and as Distinguished Fellow at the Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Beyond Austin, he has held various leadership roles in the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations and has consulted on the design and contents of historical museums. Most recently, he worked as the principal historical adviser for the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, which opened in 2018.

Dr. Lawrence is the author of two books: The Vietnam War: A Concise International History and Assuming the Burden: Europe and the American Commitment to War in Vietnam, which won two prizes from the American Historical Association.  He has also edited or co-edited seven other books covering a broad selection of topics.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University and his Doctorate from Yale University. In recognition of his teaching, Dr. Lawrence recently won the Silver Spurs Centennial Teaching Fellowship from UT-Austin’s College of Liberal Arts.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, located in Austin, Texas, is one of 14 libraries in the Presidential Library system administered by the National Archives. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.