For the first time in almost two decades, the History Department has added a tenured expert in 19th century American history.

William E. Gienapp, a scholar of 19th century party politics formerly at the University of Wyoming, has accepted Harvard's tenure offer and will begin teaching at the University in the spring.

Last spring, Akira Iriye, a noted diplomatic historian, accepted a Harvard tenure offer. Although Iriye's work is primarily centered on the history of relations between East Asia, Europe and the U.S., the department counts him as an American historian.

The department has another tenure offer outstanding--to University of Pennsylvania scholar Drew G. Faust, an expert on the antebellum South. Her husband, Charles Rosenberg, has a tenure offer from the History of Science Department, and they have said that they will decide this fall whether to take positions at the University.

Outside historians have said that the series of appointments marks an effort by the department to restock its beleaguered American wing, which has been hurt in recent years by an inability to agree on tenure appointments.

Before Iriye was named, no senior Americanist had accepted a Harvard tenure offer since 1980.

Gienapp, who was recognized at Wyoming for his commitment to teaching, is on leave from the University this fall because he is working on an interactive computer program designed to teach undergraduates to think like historians.

The young scholar has published a book on the formation of the Republican party, and his second effort, a two-volume introductory textbook for undergraduates studying history, is due out soon.