Stephen Ambrose

Date of Birth: January 10, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: October 13, 2002

Biography

Stephen Edward Ambrose was an American historian and biographer, well-known for his works on American military history. Born on January 10, 1936, in Decatur, Illinois, Ambrose developed an early interest in history, largely inspired by his father who was a physician and World War I veteran. Ambrose earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his master’s from Louisiana State University, and his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied under renowned historian William B. Hesseltine. Ambrose began his academic career as a professor of history at the University of New Orleans. He went on to write several highly acclaimed books, including “Band of Brothers,” “Undaunted Courage,” and “D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II.” His writing style, characterized by vivid storytelling and meticulous research, brought history to life for countless readers. In addition to his writing, Ambrose was a founder of the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans, which later became the National WWII Museum. He was also a consultant for various television documentaries and films, most notably the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” which was based on his book of the same name. Stephen Ambrose passed away on October 13, 2002, due to lung cancer. His contributions to the field of history and his efforts to preserve the memory of World War II veterans have left an indelible mark on American historiography.

5 Interesting Facts about Stephen Ambrose

1. Stephen Ambrose served as a historical consultant for the film “Saving Private Ryan.”

2. He wrote the biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower, with whom he developed a personal friendship.

3. Ambrose founded the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans, which is now known as The National WWII Museum.

4. “Band of Brothers,” one of his most famous works, was adapted into a critically acclaimed HBO miniseries.

5. Despite his success, Ambrose faced allegations of plagiarism in several of his later works, which he partially acknowledged.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephen Ambrose

1. “The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.”

2. “History is everything that has ever happened. In a sense, history is nothing.”

3. “War is horrible, but it has a great capacity to bring out the best in the human race.”

4. “You don’t hate history, you hate the way it was taught to you in high school.”

5. “The American spirit wears no political label. In service to others and in sacrifice for our country, there are no Republicans; there are no Democrats; there are only Americans.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Stephen Ambrose’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Stephen Ambrose had five children: Hugh, Stephenie, Andrew, Barry, and Grace. His son Hugh Ambrose also became a historian and author, contributing to the family’s literary legacy.