Heath Lowry

Heath Lowry is a historian and professor who has taught at Princeton University and Cornell University. He has written extensively on Ottoman Empire history, particularly on the Armenian Genocide, and has been involved in various controversies related to his work on this topic, including interactions with Noam Chomsky and Bernard Lewis. Lowry's research has also explored the history of Turkey and its relations with Europe and the Middle East. His work has been influenced by scholars such as Stanford Shaw and Roderic Davison.

● Early Life and Education

Heath Lowry was born in the United States and developed an interest in Middle Eastern studies from an early age, inspired by scholars like Hamilton Gibb and Philip Khuri Hitti. He pursued his undergraduate degree at Portland State University and later earned his graduate degree from UCLA, where he studied under prominent historians such as Richard Hovannisian and Vahakn Dadrian. During his time at UCLA, Lowry was exposed to various perspectives on the Armenian Genocide, including those of Terrence Des Pres and Robert Jay Lifton. His education also involved studying the works of Elie Wiesel and Yehuda Bauer.

● Career

Lowry began his academic career as a professor at Princeton University, where he taught courses on Ottoman history and Turkish studies, alongside scholars like Itamar Rabinovich and Bernard Wasserstein. He later moved to Cornell University, continuing his research on the Ottoman Empire and its legacy, including the Treaty of Sèvres and the Turkish War of Independence. Lowry's work has been supported by institutions such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Research Institute in Turkey. He has also collaborated with scholars from Bilkent University and Boğaziçi University on various projects related to Turkish history and Balkan studies.

● Controversies

Lowry has been involved in several controversies, particularly regarding his views on the Armenian Genocide, which have been criticized by scholars such as Deborah Lipstadt and Richard G. Hovannisian. His interactions with Noam Chomsky and Bernard Lewis have also been subject to debate, with some accusing him of denying the genocide, a claim also made against Justin McCarthy. Lowry's response to these criticisms has been influenced by his association with the Institute for Turkish Studies and his work with scholars like Andrew Mango and Norman Itzkowitz. The controversy surrounding Lowry's work has also involved discussions with Orhan Pamuk and Elif Şafak.

● Publications

Lowry has published numerous books and articles on Ottoman history and Turkish studies, including works on the Janissaries and the Devshirme system, which have been reviewed by scholars such as Suraiya Faroqhi and Donald Quataert. His publications have been supported by institutions like the Turkish Ministry of Culture and the American Research Institute in Turkey. Lowry's work has also been translated into languages such as Turkish and French, making it accessible to a broader audience, including scholars from Galatasaray University and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales.

● Criticism and Legacy

Lowry's legacy is marked by controversy, with some scholars, such as Taner Akçam and Vahakn Dadrian, criticizing his views on the Armenian Genocide and his association with Turkish denialism. Despite this, Lowry's work continues to be studied by scholars of Ottoman history and Turkish studies, including those at Harvard University and the University of Chicago. His research has also been influential in shaping the field of Middle Eastern studies, with scholars like Juan Cole and Erik Jan Zürcher engaging with his work. The impact of Lowry's research can be seen in the work of institutions such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Zoryan Institute.