Donald Kagan

Date of Birth: May 1, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: August 6, 2021

Biography

Donald Kagan was a distinguished American historian, classicist, and educator, widely recognized for his scholarship on ancient Greece, particularly the Peloponnesian War. Born in Kuršėnai, Lithuania, Kagan emigrated to the United States with his family during his early years. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and went on to receive a Master’s degree from Brown University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Kagan began his academic career as a faculty member at Cornell University before moving to Yale University, where he would spend the majority of his career. At Yale, he served as the Sterling Professor of Classics and History and was renowned for his dynamic teaching style and rigorous scholarship. Among his most notable works is the four-volume history of the Peloponnesian War, which has been praised for its clarity and depth of analysis. Kagan was also a public intellectual, contributing to discussions on contemporary political and military issues.

5 Interesting Facts about Donald Kagan

1. Donald Kagan’s four-volume history of the Peloponnesian War is considered one of the most comprehensive accounts of the conflict available in English.

2. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2002 for his contributions to American understanding of classical studies.

3. Kagan was a strong advocate for a traditional core curriculum in higher education, emphasizing the importance of classical studies.

4. He became a vocal critic of modern scholarship trends that he felt undermined the study of Western civilization.

5. In addition to his academic work, Kagan was involved in public policy discussions and wrote extensively on contemporary political and military issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Donald Kagan

1. “The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance.”

2. “The ancient Greeks understood that the purpose of education is to help us to understand the world and our place in it.”

3. “The Peloponnesian War teaches us that human nature is unchanging and that the behavior of states and their leaders is driven by fear, honor, and interest.”

4. “A free society depends on the education of its citizens, and the best education is one that is grounded in the study of the humanities.”

5. “Civilization is a fragile thing, and it is the responsibility of each generation to preserve and protect it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific details about Donald Kagan’s net worth are not publicly available, his long career as a professor at Yale University and his successful publications likely afforded him a comfortable lifestyle.

Children

Donald Kagan had two sons, Robert Kagan and Frederick Kagan, both of whom have followed in their father’s intellectual footsteps. Robert Kagan is a well-known historian and foreign policy commentator, while Frederick Kagan is a military historian and author.