Samuel Eliot Morison

Samuel Eliot Morison, RAdm, USNR (July 9, 1887 – May 15, 1976) was an American historian, notable for producing scholarly works that were both authoritative and highly readable, an ability recognized with two Pulitzer Prizes.

Related Topics:
RAdm - USNR - July 9 - 1887 - May 15 - 1976 - American - Historian - Pulitzer Prize

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Born in Boston, Massachusetts to John Holmes Morison (1856–1911) and Emily Marshall Eliot (1857–1925) and named for his grandfather Samuel Eliot, he attended Harvard University, acquiring a BA in 1908 and a Ph.D. in 1912. Although he taught at the University of California, Berkeley and Oxford University (1922–1925), he spent most of his 40-year career at Harvard, starting in 1915, chairing the title Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History in 1941, and retiring in 1955. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.

Related Topics:
Boston, Massachusetts - John Holmes Morison - Emily Marshall Eliot - Samuel Eliot - Harvard University - BA - 1908 - Ph.D. - 1912 - University of California, Berkeley - Oxford University - 1915 - 1941 - 1955 - Presidential Medal of Freedom - 1964

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Morison combined his personal interest in sailing with his professional activities when he chartered a boat and sailed to the various places that Christopher Columbus had supposedly visited.

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Sailing - Christopher Columbus

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In 1942, he was appointed into the United States Naval Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, for the purpose of developing first-hand knowledge of the war. The result was the unmatched History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, a work in 15 volumes that covered every aspect of the war, from strategic planning to individual exploits. For his efforts, the Navy rewarded Morison with the rank of Rear Admiral. The celebrated Britsh military historian Sir John Keegan has hailed Morison's official history one of the best ever written. One of his research assistants on that project, Henry Salomon, went on to conceive the epic NBC documentary series Victory at Sea.

Related Topics:
1942 - United States Naval Reserve - Lieutenant Commander - History of United States Naval Operations in World War II - John Keegan - NBC - Documentary - Victory at Sea

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The frigate, USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13), was named in his honor.

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Frigate - USS ''Samuel Eliot Morison'' (FFG-13)

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