Brinner, William M.

William M. (Michael) Brinner was born in Alameda, Calif. on October 6, 1924. He received his B.A. (1948), M.A. (1950), and Ph.D. (1956) from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the faculty of the Dept. of Near Eastern Languages at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1952, and became a full professor in 1964. He continued to teach at the University of California, Berkeley until his retirement in 1991. Brinner also filled a variety of administrative roles at the university. He served as Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Studies from 1965-1970, and 1987-1989, as well as Chair of the Religious Studies Program from 1982-1987. Brinner also served as Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1965-1970, 1972-1973, and 1975-1977. On a system-wide level, Brinner served on many advisory and steering committees, and chaired the University of California Education Abroad Program from 1984-1986. Outside of the University, Brinner was active in a number of professional organizations, including the ACLS/SSRC Joint Committee on Near and Middle East, which he chaired from 1969-1970. Upon his retirement in 1991, he received the Berkeley Citation for Academic Achievement and Distinguished Service, among the highest honors at the University.

From the description of William M. Brinner papers, 1960-1990. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 434895807