
McCormick of Rutgers
Scholar, Teacher, Public Historian
Michael J. Birkner(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 28. February 2001
Book
Hardback
264 pages
978-0-313-30356-2 (ISBN)
Description
Richard P. McCormick made his mark as an innovative student of American party politics, as well as the most influential interpreter of New Jersey history. A distinguished teacher, scholar, and public historian, McCormick revitalized a venerable but dormant state historical society. Later, he used notable anniversaries, such as the Bicentennial of the American Revolution and the Tercentenary of New Jersey's founding, as vehicles to bring history to schools and the general public. He also helped create a state historical agency, the New Jersey Historical Commission, to promote New Jersey's past and preserve its historic treasures.
Birkner describes McCormick's life and times. He looks at McCormick's scholarly apprenticeship, the origins of his interest in a new political history, and his contributions to the study of American politics before the Civil War. McCormick's concern for elucidating political machinery was fused with a fundamental skepticism about American democracy as run by and for the people. Through use of oral history, McCormick tells his own story. Then, through their exchanges, Birkner challenges some of McCormick's scholarly arguments and elicits responses that help to shed light on his subject's theory of politics.
Birkner describes McCormick's life and times. He looks at McCormick's scholarly apprenticeship, the origins of his interest in a new political history, and his contributions to the study of American politics before the Civil War. McCormick's concern for elucidating political machinery was fused with a fundamental skepticism about American democracy as run by and for the people. Through use of oral history, McCormick tells his own story. Then, through their exchanges, Birkner challenges some of McCormick's scholarly arguments and elicits responses that help to shed light on his subject's theory of politics.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
584 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-313-30356-2 (9780313303562)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2001
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€82.49
Available for download
Person
MICHAEL J. BIRKNER is Professor and Chair of the History Department at Gettysburg College./e
Content
Preface Introduction The Path to a Life With History Revitalizing the Study of New Jersey Life at Rutgers: Doing Public History in the 1950s and 1960s Championing a New Political History The Turbulent 60s at Rutgers Doing History: Reflections Selected Bibliography Bibliography Index