Washington, April 7, 2009 --Historian and author David McCullough, whose bestseller "John Adams" last year became an acclaimed HBO miniseries, has been awarded The Heritage Foundation's 2009 Salvatori Prize for American Citizenship.

McCullough, who grew up in Pittsburgh, achieved success with true stories that revived in the American mind the struggle and triumph of the nation's past. The 75-year-old historian's other books include "Truman" and "1776."

The Salvatori Prize, named for entrepreneur and philanthropist Henry Salvatori, is given annually by the leading Washington think tank to an American who advances the principles of the American founding and embodies virtues that animated the Founders.

"At a time when some are increasingly unsure about who we are and where we are going, the success of McCullough's work is living proof of America's deep commitment to the true narrative of its past," said Matthew Spalding, director of Heritage's B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies. The greatness of the nation's heritage, he said, "motivates our efforts to reorient America's compass toward the first principles of the American founding."

Heritage scholar Edwin Meese III, attorney general during the Reagan administration, and Heritage Board Chairman Thomas Saunders joined Spalding in presenting the award to McCullough April 3 at the annual Heritage board meeting in San Diego.

McCullough, who lives in West Tisbury, Mass., won the Pulitzer Prize twice -- for "Truman" and "John Adams." His first book, "The Johnstown Flood," was published in 1968. Strong sales and notices allowed him to write full time. Seven succeeding books include "The Great Bridge," "The Path Between the Seas," "Mornings on Horseback," "Brave Companions" and "1776."

The Heritage Foundation is the nation's most broadly supported public policy research institute, with more than 400,000 individual, foundation and corporate donors. Founded in 1973, it has a staff of 244 and an annual expense budget of more than $60 million.