Recognized for years of distinguished literary scholarship and commitment to the African American community, Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. became the first African American recipient of the Sarah Josepha Hale Award.

Presented annually since 1956 by the trustees of the Richards Free Library of Newport, N.H., the award is given to a person of literary stature whose body of work has exhibited a meaningful connection to New England.

Past winners have included filmmaker Ken Burns as well as historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

“Gates is incredibly interesting and distinguished in literary scholarship and African American studies at Harvard,” said John N. Berry III, editor of the Library Journal and a member of the Board of Judges.

“We think his body of work is very much a part of the fabric of the New England community.”

The award presentation took place in the Newport Opera House, and Gates described it as “a very moving ceremony.”

“I love New England and I’ve been lucky enough to receive many awards, and this is really, truly one of the most memorable,” Gates told the nearly 400 locals of the Newport area who attended the ceremony.

Gates’ connection to the African American community, as well as New England, was noted in presenting him the award, as he is its first African American recipient.

“It was surprising to me that he was the first African American selected,” said Michael C. York, New Hampshire State Librarian and member of the Board of Judges. York said that he was not aware of this until the fact was emphasized in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, particularly in light of controversy surrounding Gates’ arrest this summer.

In July, Gates was mistaken for a burglar when trying to get into his own house after finding the door jammed. The policeman investigating the incident arrested Gates for disorderly conduct when Gates reacted angrily to being mistaken for a burglar in his own home.

Because the Board of Judges for the Sarah Josepha Hale Award choose the following recipient at the awards ceremony the year before, little was said in response to the incident, which aroused media attention nationwide.

“We made this choice because of his work,” York added. “We made an outstanding choice and never even thought about reconsidering it.”

Gates said he was moved to receive recognition for his contribution to the African American and New England communities, and did not see a connection between the award and the events of the summer.

“It is a signal honor in my life, a sign that my life is returning to normal,” he said. “It’s a great for me and I’m humbled by it.”