Professor Rachel Fuchs’ book, “Contested Paternity: Constructing Families in Modern France,” has been awarded the France Richardson Keller-Sierra Prize by the Western Association of Women Historians. She will receive the award at the association’s 40th anniversary conference on May 2 at Santa Clara University, Calif. Download image

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A book authored by Rachel Fuchs, professor in the Arizona State University Department of History, has been awarded the Frances Richardson Keller-Sierra Prize by the Western Association of Women Historians.

The award for Fuchs’ book, “Contested Paternity: Constructing Families in Modern France,” will be presented at the association’s 40th anniversary conference on May 2 at Santa Clara University, Calif.

Her book examines paternity and fatherhood in modern France through the lens of contested paternity. Her research draws from archival judicial records on paternity suits, paternity denials, deprivation of paternity and adoption, from the end of the 18th century through the 20th century. Fuchs reveals how paternity was defined and how it functioned in the culture and experiences of individual men and women.

According to the association, the prize “recognizes the best monograph in the field of history published by a member of the organization.” The selection is made from submitted books that are single-authored and based on original research in all fields of history.

Her book also received the Charles E. Smith Award from the European history section of the Southern Historical Society.

Starting her career at ASU in 1983, Fuchs has taught classes in French and European history. She has served as associate chair of the history department, as well as interim director of the Institute for Humanities Research.

Fuchs was a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished Faculty Award recipient in 2005. The award recognizes faculty members who exemplify the college’s mission of instructional excellence, special dedication to students and performance that makes an impact in the greater community or a professional field.

She has been a fellow for the National Endowment for the Humanities and Camargo Foundation. She is the president of the pacific coast branch of the American Historical Association.

Fuchs earned a doctorate degree in history from Indiana University. She also earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in history from Boston University.