# Arthur M. Schlesinger

> American historian, social critic, and public intellectual (1917–2007)

**Wikidata**: [Q435195](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q435195)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_M._Schlesinger_Jr.)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arthur-m-schlesinger

## Summary
Arthur M. Schlesinger (1917–2007) was an American historian, social critic, and public intellectual. He is best known for his work as a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and his role as a prominent public figure involved in American politics and academia.

## Biography
- **Born**: October 15, 1917
- **Died**: February 28, 2007
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Phillips Exeter Academy; Harvard College; University of Cambridge (Peterhouse)
- **Known for**: History, social criticism, public intellectualism
- **Employer(s)**: Harvard University; City University of New York; Office of Strategic Services
- **Field(s)**: History, Writing, University Teaching
- **Aliases**: Arthur Schlesinger Jr, Arthur Meier Schlesinger Jr., Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Arthur Bancroft Schlesinger

## Contributions
Arthur M. Schlesinger contributed extensively to the field of American history through his writings and academic roles. He was recognized with the Pulitzer Prize for History and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, cementing his status as a leading scholar in the documentation of United States history and diplomacy. His work as a writer produced significant literary contributions that were further acknowledged with the Bancroft Prize and the Francis Parkman Prize. Beyond authorship, he served as a university teacher at Harvard University and the City University of New York, influencing future scholars. He also contributed to public service through his affiliation with the Office of Strategic Services.

## FAQs
**What awards did Arthur M. Schlesinger receive?**
Schlesinger received numerous prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for History, the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, the National Humanities Medal, and the Bancroft Prize. He was also a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Francis Parkman Prize, and the Eugene V. Debs Award.

**Where was Arthur M. Schlesinger educated?**
He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard College before studying at the University of Cambridge, specifically at Peterhouse.

**What organizations was Arthur M. Schlesinger affiliated with?**
He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.

**Who influenced Arthur M. Schlesinger?**
Schlesinger was influenced by Richard Hofstadter, an American historian and public intellectual known for his work in the same field.

## Why They Matter
Arthur M. Schlesinger matters as a pivotal figure in American historiography and public intellectual life. His dual Pulitzer Prizes highlight his ability to craft authoritative narratives that shaped the understanding of American history and biography. As a member of elite scholarly organizations like the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he played a role in directing cultural and policy discourse. His involvement with the Office of Strategic Services during a critical period in global history further underscores his contribution beyond academia. His legacy persists through his written works and the intellectual lineage he fostered as a university teacher.

## Notable For
- **Pulitzer Prize for History**: Awarded for distinguished books on a topic of US history.
- **Pulitzer Prize for Biography**: Awarded for distinguished biographies.
- **National Humanities Medal**: Received for contributions to the humanities.
- **Bancroft Prize**: Awarded for books on American history and diplomacy.
- **Francis Parkman Prize**: Awarded for the best book in American history.
- **Guggenheim Fellowship**: Recognized with a grant in the arts.
- **Eugene V. Debs Award**: Honored for progressivism, humanitarianism, and social criticism.
- **Toynbee Prize**: Awarded for the study of global history.
- **Office of Strategic Services**: Served in the U.S. intelligence agency (1942–1945).
- **Harvard University**: Affiliated as a university teacher and alumnus.
- **American Academy of Arts and Letters**: Membership in a prestigious honor society.
- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: Membership in a renowned honorary society and policy research center.
- **American Philosophical Society**: Membership in a distinguished scholarly organization.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Arthur Meier Schlesinger Jr. was born on October 15, 1917. His educational path began at the Phillips Exeter Academy, a private college preparatory school in Exeter, New Hampshire, established in 1781. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Harvard College, the undergraduate college of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which was founded in 1636. Following his time in the United States, he continued his education in the United Kingdom at the University of Cambridge, a collegiate public research university founded in 1209. Specifically, he was associated with Peterhouse, a college of the University of Cambridge founded in 1284.

### Academic and Professional Career
Schlesinger held significant academic positions throughout his career. He served as a university teacher at Harvard University, a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, known for its substantial employee base and industry leadership in education. He also taught at the City University of New York (CUNY), a public university system established in 1961 with its headquarters in New York City. Beyond academia, Schlesinger was employed by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a United States intelligence agency that was active from 1942 to 1945.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his life, Schlesinger was the recipient of numerous high-profile awards recognizing his scholarly and literary contributions.
*   **Pulitzer Prizes**: He won the Pulitzer Prize for History, an award established in 1917 for distinguished books on US history, and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, also established in 1917 for distinguished biographies.
*   **National Humanities Medal**: He received this American award for contributions to the humanities, established in 1988.
*   **Bancroft Prize**: He was awarded this prize for books on American history and diplomacy.
*   **Francis Parkman Prize**: This prize is awarded by the Society of American Historians for the best book in American history.
*   **Guggenheim Fellowship**: He was granted this arts award, established in 1925.
*   **Eugene V. Debs Award**: Established in 1965, this award recognizes progressivism, humanitarianism, and social criticism.
*   **Toynbee Prize**: He received this award for the study of global history.

### Memberships and Associations
Schlesinger was an influential figure in several elite scholarly organizations.
*   **American Academy of Arts and Letters**: An honor society founded in 1899, located in the United States.
*   **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: One of the oldest honorary societies in the U.S., founded in 1780, serving as a policy research center.
*   **American Philosophical**: A scholarly organization founded in 1743, headquartered in the United States, dedicated to useful knowledge.

### Influence and Legacy
Schlesinger's work was influenced by Richard Hofstadter (1916–1970), an American historian and public intellectual. Schlesinger's own career as a historian and writer left a mark on the field, evidenced by his extensive list of identifiers and catalog entries across global libraries and databases. His biography and works are indexed under numerous systems, including the Library of Congress (n50002711), VIAF (108761227), and ISNI (0000000109319139), ensuring his scholarly contributions remain accessible. He passed away on February 28, 2007.

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