Arthur Schlesinger, Historian of Power, Dies at 89

Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., the historian whose more than 20 books shaped discussions for two generations about America’s past, and who himself was a provocative, unabashedly liberal partisan, most notably in serving in the Kennedy White House, died last night in Manhattan. He was 89.

The cause was a heart attack, said Mr. Schlesinger’s son Stephen. He died at New York Downtown Hospital after being stricken in a restaurant.

Twice awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, Mr. Schlesinger exhaustively examined the administrations of two prominent presidents, Andrew Jackson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, against a vast background of regional and economic rivalries. He strongly argued that strong individuals like Jackson and Roosevelt could bend history.

The notes he took for President John F. Kennedy to use in writing his own history, became, after the president’s assassination, grist for Mr. Schlesinger’s own “A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House,” winner of both the Pulitzer and a National Book Award in 1966.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/28/washington/28cnd-schlesinger.html?hp

...it was a dinner attended by so many journalists, pols and his friends over the years. The time came for Schlesinger himself to speak and he did, from the table where he was seated. Very frail, his speech was halting but his words were lucid and right on target regarding the state of the nation today. So very sorry to hear the sad news about a great man.

those were the days when being an intellectual wasn't booed by idiots. it was honored.

Kennedy's Administration was noted for the intellectuals he gathered round. As a senior Senior person, I find it quite sad to lose these people who we trusted and admired...and claim as 'from our time'.

That said - a good life ending with a good death...assuming he'd just had a lovely dinner with people he enjoyed. There are some great conversations taking place in the bar in Heaven tonight.

RIP

Truly depressing to see a man of his ilk go at a time when our national discourse suffers from a glaring lack of intellectual heft and historical perspective.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070301/ap_on_re_us/obit_schlesinger

I remember when Altercation did a tribute for him and John Kenneth Galbraith when they were both still alive.

Frankly.

A truly inspired soul.

I read many of his books.

I've long admired him, and appreciate his books.

I often thought he was over-rated as a historian, but he was a great story-teller, and in some ways, that broadened his appeal and led to much more popularization of history, and led the way for other writers of history like Stephen Ambrose to blaze their way to being able to disseminate best sellers of historic epics and adventures. Agree or disagree with his analyses, Schlesinger was tenacious and greatly impacted historians and probably most importantly the teaching of history.

:cry:

although I do not care too much for the 'strong' individuals theory. FDR did not bend history all by himself unless he created both the Great Depression and WWII. I think too much credit is already given to the Pharaohs and the little people hauling the blocks are treated as canaille and cannon fodder.

the passing of an era