William Langer

WILLIAM L. LANGER '15, Coolidge Professor of History Emeritus, died last month, on the eve of the publication of his autobiography, entitled In and Out of the Ivory Tower. In the book Langer writes of his long life of teaching and government service, and the book's title is an apt description of that life.

Langer combined the study of history with its creation, and he achieved distinction in both. Born the son of poor German immigrants in South Boston, Langer was a self-made man who served as Coolidge professor from 1936 until his retirement in 1964. During those years he established an international reputation, both as a scholar of European and Middle Eastern history, and as an expert in military intelligence.

Langer was the author of more than a dozen books, and edited the one volume An Encyclopedia of World History, which serves as a standard reference work for many students. Beginning in World War II, he served in several positions with the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of State, and in 1945 President Truman awarded him the Medal for Merit for his intelligence work during the war. Even more commendable is the fact that during his years of government service Langer was a strong advocate of the right of historians and the public to gain access to classified government records.

Throughout his career of teaching, scholarship and public service, William Langer provided a model of diversity for his students and colleagues, and The Crimson extends its condolences to his friends and family.