Difference between revisions of "Jacques Barzun"
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When he was an undergraduate, Barzun was president of [[Philo]], drama critic for ''[[Spec]]'', and editor of ''[[Varsity]]'', a now-defunct literary magazine. He also wrote the [[1928]] [[Varsity Show]], ''Zuleika, or the Sultan Insulted''. According to classmates, he would type his ''Spec'' theatre reviews while still dressed in black tie and opera gloves. | When he was an undergraduate, Barzun was president of [[Philo]], drama critic for ''[[Spec]]'', and editor of ''[[Varsity]]'', a now-defunct literary magazine. He also wrote the [[1928]] [[Varsity Show]], ''Zuleika, or the Sultan Insulted''. According to classmates, he would type his ''Spec'' theatre reviews while still dressed in black tie and opera gloves. | ||
| − | Barzun was immediately made an instructor in the history department upon graduation, became a full professor in [[1945]], earned the [[Seth Low Professor of History]] chair in [[1960]], and became a [[University Professor]] in [[1967]]. | + | Barzun was immediately made an instructor in the history department upon graduation, became a full professor in [[1945]], earned the [[Seth Low Professor of History]] chair in [[1960]], and became a [[University Professor]] in [[1967]]. He is credited with developing the field of cultural history. |
He was also instrumental in the development of the Core, developing in [[1932]] a proto-[[Lit Hum]] class called the [[Colloquium on Important Books]], which he would co-teach with [[Lionel Trilling]]. | He was also instrumental in the development of the Core, developing in [[1932]] a proto-[[Lit Hum]] class called the [[Colloquium on Important Books]], which he would co-teach with [[Lionel Trilling]]. | ||
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He also served in a number of administrative posts, including Dean of Graduate Faculties and [[Provost]]. | He also served in a number of administrative posts, including Dean of Graduate Faculties and [[Provost]]. | ||
| − | Columbia's graduation robes were changed from the traditional black to slate blue at Barzun's prompting, the newer color being more comfortable in warm weather, as is typical during [[Commencement]]. | + | Columbia's graduation robes were changed from the traditional black to slate blue at Barzun's prompting, the newer color being more comfortable in warm weather, as is typical during [[Commencement]]. Barzun called this his "most revolutionary deed". |
| − | He retired in [[1975]] and currently lives in Texas. | + | He retired in [[1975]] and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 17:08, 16 July 2007
Jacques Barzun CC '27 PhD '32 is a cultural historian and was one of the great professors a Columbian could have in the mid-20th century. He is still alive, amazingly. He most recently wrote a mammoth 500 year history of the West entitled From Dawn To Decadence.
When he was an undergraduate, Barzun was president of Philo, drama critic for Spec, and editor of Varsity, a now-defunct literary magazine. He also wrote the 1928 Varsity Show, Zuleika, or the Sultan Insulted. According to classmates, he would type his Spec theatre reviews while still dressed in black tie and opera gloves.
Barzun was immediately made an instructor in the history department upon graduation, became a full professor in 1945, earned the Seth Low Professor of History chair in 1960, and became a University Professor in 1967. He is credited with developing the field of cultural history.
He was also instrumental in the development of the Core, developing in 1932 a proto-Lit Hum class called the Colloquium on Important Books, which he would co-teach with Lionel Trilling.
He also served in a number of administrative posts, including Dean of Graduate Faculties and Provost.
Columbia's graduation robes were changed from the traditional black to slate blue at Barzun's prompting, the newer color being more comfortable in warm weather, as is typical during Commencement. Barzun called this his "most revolutionary deed".
He retired in 1975 and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas.
External links
| Preceded by John A. Krout |
Provost 1958-1967 |
Succeeded by David B. Truman |
