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Photos From This Year’s Kluge Prize Ceremony

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The sixth Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity was conferred upon Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor on September 29, 2015. The Kluge Center was privileged to welcome these two distinguished philosopher to the Library of Congress for the ceremony and related events. Here are some photographs from a wonderful three days…

Tour of the Library of Congress

Dr. Habermas and Dr. Taylor toured the Library of Congress and met with area specialists from various reading rooms. Curators from the Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division, Manuscripts Division, Law Library, Prints and Photographs Division, Humanities and Social Sciences Reading Room and Rare Books and Special Collections Division displayed special items from the Library’s collections.

Kluge Prize winners Charles Taylor and Jürgen Habermas look at Library treasures during a display in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winners Charles Taylor and Jurgen Habermas look at Library treasures during a display in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winners Charles Taylor and Jürgen Habermas look at Library treasures during a display in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winners Charles Taylor and Jurgen Habermas look at Library treasures during a display in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Eric Frazier of the Rare Books and Special Collections Division (left) discusses treasures in the Library collection with Kluge Prize winners Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor during a tour of the Library, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Eric Frazier of the Rare Books and Special Collections Division (left) discusses treasures in the Library collection with Kluge Prize winners Jurgen Habermas and Charles Taylor during a tour of the Library, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winners Charles Taylor and Jurgen Habermas look at Library treasures during a display in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winners Charles Taylor and Jürgen Habermas look at Library treasures during a display in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jason Steinhauer of the John W. Kluge Center speaks with Kluge Prize winner Jürgen Habermas during a display tour in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jason Steinhauer of The John W. Kluge Center speaks with Kluge Prize winner Jürgen Habermas during a display tour in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jason Steinhauer of the John W. Kluge Center speaks with Kluge Prize winner Jürgen Habermas during a display tour in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jason Steinhauer of The John W. Kluge Center speaks with Kluge Prize winner Jürgen Habermas during a display tour in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jason Steinhauer of the John W. Kluge Center speaks with Kluge Prize winners Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor during a display tour in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jason Steinhauer of The John W. Kluge Center speaks with Kluge Prize winners Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor during a display tour in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor looks at Library treasures during a display in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor looks at Library treasures during a display in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor looks at Library treasures during a display in the Woodrow Wilson Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor looks at Library treasures during a display in the Wilson Conference Room, September 28, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.

Award Ceremony and Reception

The Kluge Prize medals were awarded to Dr. Habermas and Dr. Taylor at a ceremony inside The Great Hall of the Library of Congress. The laureates met with Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and Deputy Librarian of Congress David Mao prior to the event. The ceremony also paid tribute to Dr. James H. Billington for his 28-year tenure as Librarian.

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington speaks with the 2015 Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor prior to a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington speaks with the 2015 Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor prior to a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington speaks with the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, prior to a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington speaks with the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, prior to a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington speaks with the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, prior to a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington speaks with the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, prior to a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington (center left) introduces his successor, David Mao, to 2015 Kluge Prize winners Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor in the Ceremonial Office, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington (center left) introduces his successor, David Mao, to 2015 Kluge Prize winners Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor in the Ceremonial Office, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe introduces the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe introduces the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Jürgen Habermas accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Jürgen Habermas accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Jürgen Habermas accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Jürgen Habermas accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Jürgen Habermas accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Jürgen Habermas accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe awards Charles Taylor the 2015 Kluge Prize during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe awards Charles Taylor the 2015 Kluge Prize during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Philosopher and scholar Charles Taylor accepts the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe pays tribute to Librarian of Congress James H. Billington during the Kluge Prize ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe pays tribute to Librarian of Congress James H. Billington during the Kluge Prize ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, attends the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity following award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, attends the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity following award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington is honored during the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington is honored during the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe with the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and Director of National and International Outreach Jane McAuliffe with the 2015 Kluge Prize winners, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, during a ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington with 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity co-recipients Jürgen Habermas, left, and Charles Taylor, folliwng the award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington with 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity co-recipients Jürgen Habermas, left, and Charles Taylor, folliwng the award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, right, congratulates Jürgen Habermas, co-recipient of the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity following an award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, right, congratulates Jürgen Habermas, co-recipient of the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity following an award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, right, congratulates Charles Taylor, co-recipient of the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity following an award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, right, congratulates Charles Taylor, co-recipient of the 2015 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity following an award ceremony in the Great Hall, September 29, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.

Scholarly Conversations

The following day Dr. Habermas and Dr. Taylor participated in two scholarly roundtable conversations. The first comprised fellows conducting residential research at The John W. Kluge Center. The second comprised invited scholars from the Washington, D.C. area, and was co-sponsored by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University.

Jose Casanova, a sociology professor at Georgetown University, moderates a round table discussion with Kluge Prize Laureates Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jose Casanova, a sociology professor at Georgetown University, moderates a round table discussion with Kluge Prize Laureates Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jose Casanova, a sociology professor at Georgetown University, moderates a round table discussion with Kluge Prize Laureates Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jose Casanova, a sociology professor at Georgetown University, moderates a round table discussion with Kluge Prize Laureates Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jose Casanova, a sociology professor at Georgetown University, moderates a round table discussion with Kluge Prize Laureates Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Jose Casanova, a sociology professor at Georgetown University, moderates a round table discussion with Kluge Prize Laureates Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor speaks at a roundtable discussion, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor speaks at a roundtable discussion, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor speaks at a roundtable discussion, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Charles Taylor speaks at a roundtable discussion, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Jürgen Habermas speaks at a roundtable discussion with Charles Taylor and moderator Jose Casanova, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.
Kluge Prize winner Jürgen Habermas speaks at a roundtable discussion with Charles Taylor and moderator Jose Casanova, September 30, 2015. Photo by Shawn Miller.

The Kluge Prize celebrates the importance of the study of humanity and recognizes individuals whose outstanding scholarship in the humanities and social sciences has shaped both public affairs and civil society. The Prize is ordinarily a $1 million award. For more information about the Prize, visit our website. Video of this year’s award ceremony is now available on YouTube.

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