Alfred Eckhard Zimmern
Encyclopedia
Sir Alfred Eckhard Zimmern (Surbiton
, Surrey
, UK 1879-Hartford, Connecticut
, USA 1957) was a British classical scholar and historian, and political scientist writing on international relations.
His father was a naturalized British citizen, born in Germany to Jewish parents. Alfred was brought up a Christian, and was later an active participant in the World Council of Churches
. He was educated at Winchester College
, and read classics at New College, Oxford
. At Berlin University, he came under the influence of Wilamowitz and Meyer. The writers and translators Helen Zimmern
and Alice Zimmern
were cousins of his.
He was one of the first, in his book The Third British Empire, to use the expression "British Commonwealth
" for the British Empire
He is also credited with the phrase "welfare state
", made popular a few years later by William Temple
.
, Foreign Office (1918–19).
He was then Wilson Professor of International Politics, the first Professor of International Politics also known as International Relations in the whole world, University College of Wales (1919–21); having left Aberystwyth
, he taught at Cornell University
in 1922 and 1923..
He was the inaugural Montague Burton Professor of International Relations
, Oxford University (1930–44); co-founder, Royal Institute of International Affairs (1919); London Round Table Group (1913-1920s).
. He is cited often, in this perspective, in E. H. Carr's The Twenty Years' Crisis (1939); Carr and Zimmern are characterised as at opposite ends of the theoretical and political spectrum.
He contributed to the founding of both the League of Nations Society, and UNESCO
. He was Deputy Director of the Institute for Intellectual Co-operation, in Paris, in the mid-1920s; after tension with the Director, the French historian Julien Lachaire, both left. He was nominated in 1947 for the Nobel Peace Prize
, in connection with his UNESCO work.
Within UK politics, Zimmern joined the Labour Party
in 1924, and was Labour candidate for Carnarvon Boroughs
against David Lloyd George
in the 1924 general election
. A close friend of Ramsay MacDonald, Zimmern followed him in 1931 when MacDonald moved to head a National Government; he became an active member of the National Labour Organisation and frequently wrote articles for its journal, the News-Letter. Zimmern was one of five writers who contributed to a book "Towards a National Policy: being a National Labour Contribution" in April 1935.
Surbiton
Surbiton, a suburban area of London in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, is situated next to the River Thames, with a mixture of Art-Deco courts, more recent residential blocks and grand, spacious 19th century townhouses blending into a sea of semi-detached 20th century housing estates...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, UK 1879-Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, USA 1957) was a British classical scholar and historian, and political scientist writing on international relations.
His father was a naturalized British citizen, born in Germany to Jewish parents. Alfred was brought up a Christian, and was later an active participant in the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
. He was educated at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
, and read classics at New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
. At Berlin University, he came under the influence of Wilamowitz and Meyer. The writers and translators Helen Zimmern
Helen Zimmern
Helen Zimmern was a German-British writer and translator.-Biography:Zimmern and her parents emigrated in 1850 to Britain, where her father became a Nottingham lace merchant. She was naturalized upon coming of age. She was the sister of the suffragist Alice Zimmern and a cousin of the political...
and Alice Zimmern
Alice Zimmern
Alice Zimmern was an English writer, translator and suffragist.-Background and education:Zimmern was born in Nottingham, the youngest of the three daughters of the lace merchant Hermann Theodore Zimmern, a German Jewish immigrant, and his wife Antonia Marie Therese Regina, née Leo...
were cousins of his.
He was one of the first, in his book The Third British Empire, to use the expression "British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
" for the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
He is also credited with the phrase "welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
", made popular a few years later by William Temple
William Temple (archbishop)
William Temple was a priest in the Church of England. He served as Bishop of Manchester , Archbishop of York , and Archbishop of Canterbury ....
.
Academic career
He was Lecturer in Ancient History, New College, Oxford (1903) and Fellow and tutor, New College (1904–09). Subsequently he was staff inspector, Board of Education (1912–15) and a member, Political Intelligence DepartmentPolitical Intelligence Department (1918 - 1920)
The Political Intelligence Department was a department of the British Foreign Office created towards the end of World War I. It was created on March 11, 1918, by Permanent Under-Secretary Lord Hardinge. It gathered political, economic, and military conditions in both allied and enemy countries...
, Foreign Office (1918–19).
He was then Wilson Professor of International Politics, the first Professor of International Politics also known as International Relations in the whole world, University College of Wales (1919–21); having left Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
, he taught at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1922 and 1923..
He was the inaugural Montague Burton Professor of International Relations
Montague Burton Professor of International Relations
The Montague Burton Professorship of International Relations at the University of Oxford is one of the two main professorships of International Relations created by the endowment of Montague Burton in UK universities. The Oxford chair was established in 1930 and is associated with a Fellowship of...
, Oxford University (1930–44); co-founder, Royal Institute of International Affairs (1919); London Round Table Group (1913-1920s).
Internationalism
He has been classified as a utopian and idealist thinker on international relationsInternational relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
. He is cited often, in this perspective, in E. H. Carr's The Twenty Years' Crisis (1939); Carr and Zimmern are characterised as at opposite ends of the theoretical and political spectrum.
He contributed to the founding of both the League of Nations Society, and UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. He was Deputy Director of the Institute for Intellectual Co-operation, in Paris, in the mid-1920s; after tension with the Director, the French historian Julien Lachaire, both left. He was nominated in 1947 for the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
, in connection with his UNESCO work.
Within UK politics, Zimmern joined the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
in 1924, and was Labour candidate for Carnarvon Boroughs
Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)
Caernarfon was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Caernarfon in Wales. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system....
against David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
in the 1924 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1924
- Seats summary :- References :* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* - External links :* * *...
. A close friend of Ramsay MacDonald, Zimmern followed him in 1931 when MacDonald moved to head a National Government; he became an active member of the National Labour Organisation and frequently wrote articles for its journal, the News-Letter. Zimmern was one of five writers who contributed to a book "Towards a National Policy: being a National Labour Contribution" in April 1935.
Works
- Nationality and Government (1918)
- Europe in Convalescence (1922) online text
- America and Europe
- Prospects of Democracy & Other Essays
- The Greek Commonwealth Politics and Economics in Fifth Century Athens, 1911; 5th ed. 1931, Oxford, reprint 1977
- The Economic Weapon Against Germany, London: Allen & Unwin, 1918
- The Third British Empire (1926; 3.ed. 1934), London: Oxford U.P.
- The League of Nations and the Rule of Law, 1918–1935
Further reading
- Jeanne Morefield (2004), Covenants Without Swords: Idealist Liberalism and the Spirit of Empire, on Zimmern and Gilbert Murray
External links
- Biography
- Donald MarkwellDonald MarkwellFor the Montgomery, Alabama, talk radio personality, Don Markwell, see Don Markwell Professor Donald John 'Don' Markwell is an Australian social scientist and college president...
, 'Sir Alfred Eckhard Zimmern', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004. http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/101037088/