Evron Kirkpatrick

Evron Kirkpatrick was an influential American political scientist, professor, and government official who played a pivotal role in shaping the discipline of political science in the mid-20th century. He is best known for his long tenure as the Executive Director of the American Political Science Association (APSA), a position from which he significantly expanded the organization's influence and resources. His career also included important roles in the United States Department of State and as a professor at Georgetown University, where he mentored numerous future scholars and policymakers. Kirkpatrick was married to fellow political scientist and diplomat Jeane Kirkpatrick, who later served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Early life and education

He was born in Muncie, Indiana, and completed his undergraduate studies at what was then known as Ball State Teachers College. Kirkpatrick pursued graduate work in political science at the prestigious University of Chicago, where he earned both his master's and doctoral degrees under the mentorship of prominent scholars like Charles Edward Merriam. His doctoral dissertation focused on the political dynamics of Latin America, an interest that would inform his later government work. This academic foundation at the University of Chicago, a leading center for behavioral political science, deeply influenced his scholarly approach and administrative philosophy.

Academic career

Following his graduate studies, Kirkpatrick began his teaching career, holding positions at several institutions before joining the faculty of Georgetown University in the late 1940s. At Georgetown University, he taught in the Department of Government and was associated with the School of Foreign Service, contributing to the education of a generation of students in international affairs. His scholarly work, though less prolific than his administrative output, often centered on the intersection of public opinion and foreign policy, as well as the professionalization of the field of political science. He maintained his academic affiliation with Georgetown University throughout much of his career, even while serving in other capacities.

Government service

During World War II, Kirkpatrick served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, where he analyzed political conditions in various global theaters. After the war, he joined the United States Department of State, working in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. In this role, he provided analysis on Soviet and Eastern Bloc affairs during the early Cold War, contributing to the formulation of U.S. containment policy. His government experience provided him with practical insights into the workings of American foreign policy that he later brought to his academic and professional association leadership.

Leadership at the American Political Science Association

Kirkpatrick's most enduring legacy was his transformative leadership of the American Political Science Association, where he served as Executive Director from 1954 to 1981. He oversaw the relocation of the APSA headquarters to Washington, D.C., and dramatically increased its membership, financial resources, and public policy engagement. Under his direction, the association launched influential publications like PS: Political Science & Politics and significantly expanded the annual APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition. He was instrumental in securing funding from major foundations like the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation to support research and fellowships, thereby professionalizing and expanding the scope of the discipline nationwide.

Personal life and legacy

In 1955, he married Jeane Duane Jordan, a brilliant graduate student who would become renowned as Jeane Kirkpatrick, a key foreign policy advisor to President Ronald Reagan and the first woman to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. They had three sons and were a formidable intellectual partnership in Washington, D.C. circles. Kirkpatrick passed away in Bethesda, Maryland in 1995. His legacy is marked by his institutional building within political science, having shaped the American Political Science Association into a major professional organization and fostering connections between academia and the policy world in the nation's capital.

Category:American political scientists Category:American Political Science Association people Category:Georgetown University faculty Category:1909 births Category:1995 deaths