Marcus Cunliffe
Marcus Cunliffe was a distinguished British scholar known for his contributions to American history, literature, and culture. Born in England in 1922, his passion for American studies was sparked in his youth by notable writers and cultural figures. Cunliffe studied history at Oriel College, Oxford University, and served in the military during World War II. His academic journey in the U.S. began with a Commonwealth Fellowship at Yale University, which profoundly influenced his scholarship. He taught at the University of Manchester from 1949 to 1964, where he published significant works, including "George Washington: Man and Monument." In 1965, he became the chair of American studies at the University of Sussex before returning to the U.S. in 1980 as a University Professor at George Washington University, where he remained until his death in 1990 due to leukemia. Throughout his career, Cunliffe also held several visiting professorships and fellowships, emphasizing the importance of making his research accessible to both academics and the general public. His legacy includes numerous publications and contributions to museum exhibitions, reflecting his commitment to American cultural scholarship.
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Marcus Cunliffe
Writer
- Born: July 5, 1922
- Birthplace: England
- Died: September 2, 1990
- Place of death: Washington, D.C.
Biography
Marcus Cunliffe was a respected British scholar of American history, literature, and culture. His interest in the field began in his youth, when he was introduced to the United States through the works of writers Stephen Crane, e. e. cummings, Ezra Pound, and James Thurber, the radio addresses of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the films of Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and Jean Harlow.
Cunliffe was born in England in 1922. He studied history at Oriel College, Oxford University, earning M.A. and B.Litt. degrees, and served in the military during World War II. Upon the conclusion of the war, Cunliffe traveled to the United States for a term as Commonwealth Fellow at Yale University from 1947 to 1949. When he returned to England, he brought with him invaluable experience and insights from the two years he lived in the United States. From 1949 to 1964, he taught courses in American history and institutions at the University of Manchester, beginning as a lecturer and rising to become a senior lecturer and eventually a professor.
During his tenure at Manchester, he published one of his most notable works, George Washington: Man and Monument (1958). In 1965, he was appointed the chair of American studies at the University of Sussex, and he held this position until 1980, when he returned to the United States to accept the position of University Professor at George Washington University. He remained at the university until his death from leukemia in 1990.
While teaching and writing in various institutions over the years, Cunliffe held several visiting professorships, including positions at Harvard University from 1959 to1960 and the University of California at Berkeley in 1976. Among his fellowships was a year at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, beginning in 1977. In addition to his many books, Cunliffe also wrote numerous articles and contributed to museum exhibitions. He strived to make all of his works accessible and useful to both scholars and the general public.