William Leonard Langer writings and publications
Overview
William Leonard Langer (1896-1977), a historian, was the Archibald Cary Coolidge Professor of History at Harvard University. His work focused on modern European history, the history of international relations, and American diplomacy. The writings and publications in this collection document William Leonard Langer's academic contributions to international politics and diplomacy from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Dates
- Creation: 1920s-1970s
Creator
Researcher Access
Open for research.
Extent
.68 cubic feet (2 volumes, 1 document box, 1 pamphlet binder, 1 accordion folder)The writings and publications in this collection document William Leonard Langer's academic contributions to international politics and diplomacy from the 1920s to the 1970s. Langer's discussions of modern European history, international relations, American diplomacy, and foreign affairs are included. Additionally, the collection contains Langer's self-published autobiography Up from the Ranks: The Autobiography of William L. Langer (1975) and his published autobiography In and Out of the Ivory Tower: The Autobiography of William L. Langer (1977). Langer's curriculum vitae and a United States Government Personnel Security Questionnaire and Personal History Statement, which provide a limited amount of personal information, are also included in the collection.
Biographical note on William Leonard Langer
William Leonard Langer (1896-1977), a historian, was the Archibald Cary Coolidge Professor of History at Harvard University. His work focused on modern European history, the history of international relations, and American diplomacy. Langer taught at Worcester Academy (1915-1917) and Clark University as an assistant professor (1927-1931) and associate professor (1925-1927). He joined the Harvard faculty as an assistant professor in 1927, subsequently becoming an associate professor (1931-1936), Archibald Coolidge Professor of History (1936-1964), and emeritus in 1964. Langer wrote and edited works covering a wide range of topics on international politics and diplomacy. Some of his best-known works are Political and Social Upheaval: 1832-1852 (1969), Explorations in Crisis: Papers on International History (1969), and The Challenge to Isolation, 1937-1940 (1952). Langer was also the editor of An Encyclopedia of World History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged (1940) and the 20-volume series, The Rise of Modern Europe.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into four series:
- General folder, 1935-1960
- Reprints and pamphlets, 1920s-1970s
- Up from the Ranks: The Autobiography of William L. Langer, 1975
- In and Out of the Ivory Tower: The Autobiography of William L. Langer,1977
Acquisition Information
Specific acquisition information, when available, is noted at the series level.
- Gift of William L. Langer, 1975 December 3; Accession 7769.
- Gift of William L. Langer, 1977 April 13; Accession 8095.
Inventory update
This document last updated 2022 May 02.
Processing Information
This finding aid was created in September 2021 by Dominic P. Grandinetti.
Dates and titles supplied by the archivist appear in brackets.
Alma ID
99155775556103941
Creator
- Title
- Langer, William L (William Leonard), 1896-1977. William Leonard Langer writings and publications, 1920s-1970s: an inventory
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hua74021
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
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