"Among [Gore] Vidal's favorite observers of America's past is William Appleman Williams, one of the so-called 'revisionist'
historians whose views gained influence during the 1960s and '70s. The revisionists argued that while American foreign-policy
makers often believe themselves
to be acting with the best of intentions and from democratic ideals, their actions tend not to differ so much in practice
from those of Europe's 19th century great powers, schooled in Bismarckian expediency."
- Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times, April 2003
William Appleman Williams (1921-1990), an influential American historian and writer, was a member of the History faculty at
Oregon State University from 1968-1986. He is regarded to be a founder of the "revisionist school" of American diplomatic
history. The author of several books, Williams' The Contours of American History (1961), was named one of the 100 best non-fiction books written in English in the twentieth century by the Modern Library.
The Williams Papers consist of correspondence, news articles, books and memorabilia.
The collection consists of newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, published and unpublished manuscripts, memorial
service notes, and personal items spanning the years 1945 through 1999. Correspondence includes letters to friends, colleagues
and associates and many are in direct relation to articles that Williams authored. In addition, the collection also includes
personnel records of his time at Oregon State University, materials and documents from his service in the United States Navy,
and biographical and family history information that was collected and kept by him.
Biographical Note(s)
|
|
