Ms. Thompson is an accomplished research historian emerita at George Washington's Mount Vernon, where she dedicated over four decades to studying and interpreting American history.
MOUNT VERNON, VA, December 17, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mary V. Thompson has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Thompson is an accomplished research historian emerita at George Washington's Mount Vernon, where she dedicated over four decades to studying and interpreting American history. Before her retirement in 2022, she was instrumental in assisting scholars, graduate students and professors who visit the library to work on various projects. Ms. Thompson's expertise in religion in Washington's life and 18th-century history has made her an invaluable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of this pivotal era.
Having begun her career at Mount Vernon in 1980, Ms. Thompson was a museum attendant and historical interpreter. Over the years, she has advanced through several roles, including curatorial assistant, curatorial registrar, research specialist, and research historian. Her extensive tenure at Mount Vernon allowed her to contribute significantly to the site's historical narrative and visitor experience.
Among many accomplishments at Mount Vernon, Ms. Thompson became fluent in interpretation, special projects, collection management and exhibitions. She became a seasoned researcher and has contributed numerous articles and chapters for books, and authored three books, including "In the Hands of a Good Providence: Religion in the Life of George Washington" in 2008 and "The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret: Slavery at the Home of George Washington" in 2019. The latter book reflects her deep commitment to addressing the often-overlooked subject of slavery in historical narratives. She is particularly proud of the progress made at Mount Vernon in interpreting slavery and fostering positive relationships with the descendants of enslaved people from the estate. Moreover, Ms. Thompson has given lectures and taught classes for various groups, including historical interpreters and military officers and curated a significant traveling exhibition to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's death and a traveling banner show with the National Institutes of Health.
A graduate of Samford University, Ms. Thompson received a Bachelor of Arts in history, magna cum laude, in 1977. She also garnered a Master of Arts in history with a focus on early modern Europe and colonial America from the University of Virginia in 1980.
In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Thompson is actively involved in various professional and civic organizations. She was a member of the Arnold Air Society in college and is currently a member of the board of the Alexandria Historical Society. Her long-standing commitment to community service included a volunteer role with the Sierra Club in the early 1980s. Her earlier volunteer work also included working with the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum and the U.S. Army Chaplain Museum. Ms. Thompson also served as a volunteer tour guide at Meridian House from 1985 to 1990, chaired the preservation committee for the Tauxemont Community Association between 2003 and 2009, and was a volunteer judge for Virginia History Day District 5 from 2012 to 2015.
Ms. Thompson's dedication to historical scholarship has earned her numerous accolades, including the Alexandria History Award from the Historical Society and the James Bradford Biography Prize in 2019. As she prepares for future endeavors, she aims to remain open-minded and embrace new opportunities while continuing her work on significant historical projects like her upcoming book about the animals of Mount Vernon and another on Martha Washington's experiences during the Revolutionary War.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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