Rutledge Melvin Dennis (born August 16, 1939) is an American sociologist who is Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at George Mason University.

Du Bois, he was formerly the first coordinator of African American studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In 2001, he received the Association's Joseph S. Himes Distinguished Scholarship Award.

The statement accompanying this award described Dennis as "one of the leading scholars on DuBois.

The award is given annually by Virginia Commonwealth University to an exemplary African American studies student.