D. Brenton Simons

Simons was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and attended schools in Connecticut, South Carolina, and Switzerland. He is a graduate of Boston University (CGS'86, COM'88, SED'94),[1] and following studies in England, returned to Boston where he has lived since 1988. In 1993, he joined the staff of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and in 2005 was appointed its president and CEO. During his tenure, membership in the organization has grown dramatically and he recently led the Society’s $55 million capital campaign. Under his leadership, NEHGS has served as the anchor location of the PBS television series "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr." and has held events where Simons has honored Ken Burns, James Carville and Mary Matalin, David Gergen, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Angela Lansbury, Thomas M. Menino, and Princess Michael of Kent, with Lifetime Achievement Awards. He is the author of Witches, Rakes, and Rogues: True Stories of Scam, Scandal, Murder, and Mayhem, 1620-1775, and Boston Beheld: Antique Town & Country Views.[2]

Simons is a member of the American Antiquarian Society, a proprietor of the Boston Athenæum, a former board member of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, a member of the Club of Odd Volumes, and is a fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His book, Witches, Rakes, and Rogues, received the 2006 Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History.[3]

Simons matriculated was granted a coat of arms from the College of Arms in April 2019 [4]

Coat of arms of D. Brenton Simons

Crest Upon a Helm with a Wreath Or and Sable A three-masted square-rigged Ship Vert sails set flags flying Argent charged on the hull with an Escallop Or between two May Flowers proper. Escutcheon Sable a heraldic Dolphin naiant on a Chief engrailed Or three Escallops Vert. Motto Je Vive En Esperance