Historian Tom Chavez Receives Honor from Spain

Historian and Las Golondrinas Board member Dr. Tom Chavez has again been honored by Spain for his work.  Dr. Chavez was nominated and unanimously accepted into Spain’s Real Academia de la Historia as an “academic correspondent”.  This is special because it not only recognizes the contributions of an American historian but also because in 1784, Benjamin Franklin received the same honor. Dr. Chavez has also been inducted into the Spanish Orden de Isabel la Católica as a result of his research.

La Real Academia de la Historia is a Spanish institution based in Madrid focused on the history, civilization and culture of Spain. The Academy was established by royal decree of Philip V of Spain in 1738.

Dr. Chavez is the former director of the New Mexico History Museum and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.  He is also an associate research professor for the Latin American Iberian Institute at UNM and has written extensively on the history of New Mexico and the Spanish Period.