Abram L. Sachar

Abram L. Sachar
Name	Abram L. Sachar
Birth date	15 February 1899
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Death date	24 July 1993
Death place	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Education	Harvard University (BA, MA, PhD)
Occupation	Historian, university administrator
Known for	Founding president of Brandeis University
Spouse	Thelma Horwitz
Children	3, including Howard M. Sachar

Abram L. Sachar was an eminent American Jewish historian and academic administrator who played a pivotal role in American higher education and Jewish communal life. He is best remembered as the founding president of Brandeis University, transforming it from an idea into a premier nonsectarian research institution. His scholarly work focused on modern Jewish history and he was a prominent voice for liberal causes, serving on national commissions under Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, Sachar was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where his father was a rabbi. He demonstrated academic prowess early, graduating from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1920. He remained at Harvard University for graduate studies, earning a Master of Arts in 1921 and a Doctor of Philosophy in history in 1923 under the mentorship of renowned scholar Charles Homer Haskins. His doctoral dissertation on the House of Lords during the Tudor period foreshadowed his lifelong commitment to rigorous historical analysis.

Academic career

Sachar began his teaching career at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he served as an instructor and later a professor of history. In 1925, he joined the faculty of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, quickly becoming a popular lecturer known for his dynamic style. His academic focus soon shifted toward modern Jewish history, a field he helped pioneer within the American academy. In 1948, after more than two decades of teaching, he accepted the position of national director of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundations, where he oversaw the expansion of Jewish campus life across the United States.

Founding of Brandeis University

Sachar's most enduring achievement was his leadership in establishing Brandeis University, the first nonsectarian Jewish-sponsored university in the United States. In 1948, he was chosen by the founding board, which included figures like Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt, to serve as its first president. From a single building in Waltham, Massachusetts, he recruited a distinguished faculty, including philosopher Herbert Marcuse and composer Leonard Bernstein. Under his twenty-year tenure, Brandeis University grew into a respected institution affiliated with the Association of American Universities.

Historical scholarship and publications

A prolific author, Sachar wrote several influential works that brought Jewish history to a broad audience. His seminal book, A History of the Jews, first published in 1930, went through multiple editions and was widely used in college courses. Other notable publications include The Course of Our Times and Sufferance Is the Badge, which examined themes of antisemitism and resilience. His accessible narrative style, evident in works like The Redemption of the Unwanted, helped popularize the study of the Holocaust and modern Israel for American readers.

Public service and civic engagement

Beyond academia, Sachar was deeply engaged in public service and advocacy. President Harry S. Truman appointed him to the President's Commission on Higher Education, which helped shape postwar American educational policy. Later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower named him to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, where he contributed to early national dialogues on racial equality. He was also a founding trustee of the American Association for Jewish Education and remained an active leader in organizations like the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.

Legacy and honors

Sachar's legacy is indelibly linked to the success of Brandeis University, where the main library is named in his honor. He received numerous awards, including the American Historical Association's Award for Scholarly Distinction. His son, Howard M. Sachar, became a prominent historian of the Middle East, continuing the family's scholarly tradition. Through his leadership at Brandeis University, his historical writings, and his civic work, Sachar left a profound mark on American intellectual life and the American Jewish community.

Category:American historians Category:American university and college presidents Category:Brandeis University Category:1899 births Category:1993 deaths