Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Gardiner Chair of Oceanic History and Affairs was established at Harvard University
in 1948.
The chair is named is named in honor of William Howard Gardiner (died, New York City, 21 June 1952), a publicist and advocate of the importance of sea power, who had been President of the United States Navy League from 1928 to 1933. In this positioon, Gardiner played an important role in ending the policy of Herbert Hoover
's administration for a "holiday" in naval construction. During World War II, Gardiner served as a consultant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt
and to the State Department on global policy.
In 1918, Gardiner had married Mary Ruth McBurney, who shared her husband's interest in naval affairs. On her death in 1947, she left more than $250,000 to Harvard University
to endow the Gardiner Chair in Oceanic History and Affairs. In her will, she specified that the endowment was to be used for the study and teaching of the geography and history of the sea and of the ships that sail on or above it, "particularly as they have affected or may affect the security and progress of the United States in view of the mid-oceanic and insular position of North America relative to other lands."
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1948.
The chair is named is named in honor of William Howard Gardiner (died, New York City, 21 June 1952), a publicist and advocate of the importance of sea power, who had been President of the United States Navy League from 1928 to 1933. In this positioon, Gardiner played an important role in ending the policy of Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
's administration for a "holiday" in naval construction. During World War II, Gardiner served as a consultant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and to the State Department on global policy.
In 1918, Gardiner had married Mary Ruth McBurney, who shared her husband's interest in naval affairs. On her death in 1947, she left more than $250,000 to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
to endow the Gardiner Chair in Oceanic History and Affairs. In her will, she specified that the endowment was to be used for the study and teaching of the geography and history of the sea and of the ships that sail on or above it, "particularly as they have affected or may affect the security and progress of the United States in view of the mid-oceanic and insular position of North America relative to other lands."
List of the Gardiner Professors of Oceanic History
- 1948-1965 Robert G. AlbionRobert G. AlbionRobert G. Albion was Harvard's first professor of Oceanic History and inspired two generations of maritime historians in the United States...
- 1965-1982 J. H. ParryJ. H. ParryJohn Horace Parry CMG, MBE was a distinguished maritime historian, who served as Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University.-Early life and education:John Parry was the son of a teacher, Walter Austin Parry and his wife Ethel Piddock...
- 1982-2001 in abeyance
- 2001-Present Sugata BoseSugata BoseSugata Bose is the Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University.-Early life:Sugata Bose was born in Calcutta, India. He studied at the Presidency College, Kolkata. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge under Eric Stokes...