Stansky, Peter, 1932-

Peter Stansky, who earned his Ph.D. in History from Harvard University, is the Frances and Charles Field Professor of Modern British History, Emeritus, at Stanford.

American historian.

C.R. Ashbee, an important figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, and a disciple of William Morris, came to Stanford to lecture in January, 1909, having been invited here by a professor of Classics, Henry W. Rolfe. Rolfe had been feuding with President Jordan and at the end of that academic year left Stanford permanently and went abroad with his wife and two daughters for two years. Mrs. Rolfe and her elder daughter studied with Ashbee in Chipping Camden for one year. Professor Stansky, of the Stanford History Department, contacted the daughters and obtained photocopies of the Ashbee papers in their collection.

Peter Stansky received his first BA in History from Yale, and a few years later received his second BA in History from King's College, Cambridge. He contemplated a career in law, but eventually earned his Ph.D. in History from Harvard University. He taught at Harvard until 1968, when he left to join the Stanford faculty, where he has remained since. In 1974 Stansky became the holder of the endowed Frances and Charles Field Chair in History, and has been the chairman of the History Department for a least two terms. He is the Author of THE UNKNOWN ORWELL, ENGLAND SINCE 1867: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE, AMBITIONS AND STRATEGIES, and others.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Peter Stansky, who earned his Ph.D. in History from Harvard University, is the Frances and Charles Field Professor of Modern British History, Emeritus, at Stanford.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Peter Stansky, born in New York in 1931, has had a long and distinguished career in the field of history. He received his first BA in History from Yale, and a few years later received his second BA in History from King’s College, Cambridge. Assuming he would eventually go into the practice of Law, he sent out but then withdrew applications to Harvard Law School, eventually earning his Ph.D. in History from Harvard. He taught at Harvard until 1968, when he joined the Stanford faculty. In 1974 Stansky became the holder of the endowed Frances and Charles Field Chair in History, and has been the chairman of Stanford's History Department for at least two terms.

Stanksy’s scholarly interests have been quite diverse during his time at Stanford University. He has authored or co-authored numerous books on British social and literary topics, such as The Unknown Orwell, The Road to Wigan Pier, Orwell: The Transformation, Ambitions and Strategies, and numerous other books on subjects including Winston Churchill, Victorian society, William Morris, and William Gladstone. Along with scholarly publications, Stansky has served on many Stanford committees and has been actively involved with the Stanford University Library collection development.

Biographical/Historical Note

American historian.