The Board of Trustees of The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens announced in an email this morning that Dr. Laura Skandera Trombley, president of The Huntington, has stepped down from her post effective immediately.
As the newest recipient of the Louis J. Budd Award for outstanding contributions in the field of Twain scholarship, Dr. Trombley will give priority to her scholarship as she immediately starts her next book-length study of Mark Twain, according to The Huntington’s Board.
“We wish Laura well in all her future endeavors and scholarship and appreciate all her fine efforts on behalf of The Huntington,” said Anne Rothenberg, chair of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Steve Hindle, the W.M. Keck Foundation Director of Research, has been named the acting president as a search for a new president gets underway. Dr. Hindle specializes in social and economic history of early modern England, previously working at the University of Warwick where he was involved in many leadership positions. He began his role as Director of Research at The Huntington in July 2011.
Dr. Trombley will serve as an advisor to the Board of Trustees of The Huntington and has been engaged as a consultant to the Schiff Foundation and the Libra Foundation.
Dr. Trombley stepped into her role as president in July 2015, as both an admirer and frequent visitor of the grounds. As the eighth president of The Huntington, she was the first woman to lead the institution. Previously, she was president of Pitzer College in Claremont, where she is widely credited with dramatically improving the college’s standing in higher education.
Mady Renn contributed to this story.
