Nigerian novelist , Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, along with 227 new members , the Academy announced today.
In March , Chimamanda was also elected into the American Academy of Arts and Letters , the second Nigerian to be so honoured, after Prof. Wole Soyinka . She will be inducted in May.
In the announcement by the Academy of Arts and Science , Chimamanda was listed among 40 Foreign Honorary Members from 19 countries elected by the Academy.
Other foreigners honoured come from Australia , China, India, Japan and Uganda.
The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on October 7, 2017, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Among the people elected are some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, as well as civic, business , and philanthropic leaders . They will all form the 237th class of the academy.
Please see the full list here : www.amacad.org/members.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country ’ s oldest learned societies and independent policy research centres , convening leaders from the academic , business , and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing — and opportunities available to — the nation and the world . Members contribute to Academy publications and studies in science , engineering, and technology policy; global security and international affairs; the humanities, arts, and education; and American institutions and the public good.
Members of the 2017 class include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and the Wolf Prize ; MacArthur Fellows; Fields Medalists; Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Arts recipients; and Academy Award , Grammy Award , Emmy Award, and Tony Award winners.
“ It is an honor to welcome this new class of exceptional women and men as part of our distinguished membership, ” said Don Randel , Chair of the Academy’ s Board of Directors. “ Their talents and expertise will enrich the life of the Academy and strengthen our capacity to spread knowledge and understanding in service to the nation . ”