Arrell Gibson

Arrell Morgan Gibson (1921–1987) was a historian and author specializing in the history of the state of Oklahoma.

Gibson was born in Pleasanton, Kansas on December 1, 1921.

He earned degrees from Missouri Southern State College and the University of Oklahoma.

He received his B.A. from Missouri Southern State College in 1946,

his M.A. from University of Oklahoma in 1948

He was Professor of History and Government at Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma – 1949–1957.

and his Ph.D. from University of Oklahoma in 1954.

He was the George Lynn Cross Research Professor of History at University of Oklahoma – 1957–?

He was Curator: Western History Collections at University of Oklahoma – 1957–1970.

Curator: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (then called the Stovall Museum) at University of Oklahoma – 1960–1987.

He is best known for writing Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries (University of Oklahoma Press 1965, 1981) and The Oklahoma Story (University of Oklahoma Press 1978).

He was visiting professor at University of New Mexico in 1975

He was visiting distinguished professor; Graduate Studies Consultant – University of South China – 1985.

He was Goldwater Distinguished Professor of American Institutions – Arizona State University – 1986

He died in Norman, Oklahoma on November 30, 1987.

There have been two literary awards created in Gibson's honor.

The Oklahoma Center For The Book grants its Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award annually to an Oklahoman for a body of literary work.

The Indian Territory Posse of Westerners International awards a $500 cash prize annually to the year's best essay on the history of Native Americans.