Ernest May

Ernest May was a renowned American historian and professor at Harvard University, known for his expertise in International Relations, Diplomacy, and History of the United States. His work focused on the Cold War, World War I, and World War II, with a particular emphasis on the roles of United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom. May's research and publications have been widely acclaimed, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field, including the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

● Early Life and Education

Ernest May was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in a family of University of Texas at Austin professors. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later enrolled at University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his undergraduate degree in History. May then pursued his graduate studies at Harvard University, earning his Ph.D. in History under the supervision of William Langer and Carl Bridenbaugh. During his time at Harvard University, May was influenced by prominent historians such as Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Dorothy Ross, and Nathan I. Huggins.

● Career

May began his academic career as a professor at Harvard University, where he taught courses on International Relations, Diplomacy, and History of the United States. He was also a visiting professor at University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Stanford University. May's expertise in International Relations led to his involvement in various institutions, including the Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings Institution, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He was also a member of the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, and Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations.

● Research and Publications

May's research focused on the Cold War, World War I, and World War II, with a particular emphasis on the roles of United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom. His notable publications include works on the Yalta Conference, Potsdam Conference, and Treaty of Versailles. May also wrote about the Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Blockade, and Korean War. His books, such as "The World War and American Isolation, 1914-1917" and "Imperial Democracy: The Emergence of America as a Great Power", have been widely acclaimed and have received awards from the American Historical Association and Organization of American Historians. May's work has been compared to that of other prominent historians, including Henry Kissinger, George Kennan, and Arthur Schlesinger Jr..

● Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, May received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of History and International Relations. He was awarded the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for his book "The World War and American Isolation, 1914-1917". May was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. He received the Toynbee Prize for his contributions to the field of International Relations and the Bancroft Prize for his work on Diplomacy. May was also awarded honorary degrees from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Yale University.

● Personal Life

May was married to Anne May, and they had two children together. He was known for his love of Classical Music and was an avid collector of Rare Books. May was also a member of the Harvard Club of New York City and the Algonquin Club of Boston. He passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prominent historians of his time, with a body of work that continues to influence scholars in the fields of History, International Relations, and Diplomacy, including those at Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley.

Category:Historians