George Lincoln Burr
Encyclopedia
George Lincoln Burr was a U.S.
historian
, diplomat
, author
, and educator, best known as a Professor of History and Librarian at Cornell University
, and as the closest collaborator of Andrew Dickson White
, the first President of Cornell.
Burr was born in Albany, New York
and entered the Cortland Academy in 1869, where he first met Andrew Dickson White
, who was guest speaker for its 50th anniversary. The financial Panic of 1873
wreaked havoc on his family’s finances, and he was forced to leave school and seek employment at age 16. After a brief stint as a schoolmaster, he apprenticed as a printer of The Standard at Cortland. After 4 years, he had saved $200, sufficient for him to matriculate at Cornell in 1877. As a sophomore, Burr audited a course for seniors taught by White on the historical development of criminal law, and received permission to sit for the exam. Prof. White was so impressed by Burr’s exam answers that he secretly appointed Burr as his examiner (i.e., grader) in history. White writes in his Autobiography, “Of course this was kept entirely secret; for had the Seniors known that I had entrusted their papers to the tender mercies of a Sophomore, they would probably have mobbed me.”
After his graduation in 1881, Burr accepted White’s offer to serve as an instructor and examiner in modern history, and also as White’s private secretary. This was the beginning of a literary partnership that lasted until White’s death in 1918. Under White’s tutelage, Burr developed into a scholar of medieval history. After traveling and studying in Switzerland, France, and Germany, Burr was appointed to the Cornell faculty in 1888 and made Professor of Medieval History in 1892. In 1919, he was elected John Stambaugh Professor of History.
, one of the first books written in Germany against the witch trials, and long believed destroyed by the Inquisition
.
Ironically, this very discovery led Burr to abruptly leave his studies in Europe, and he never earned any higher degree beyond his A.B.
from Cornell (the degrees listed for Burr are honorary: an LL.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1904 and from Washington College
in 1907, and a Litt.D. from Western Reserve, now Case Western, in 1905).
to interfere with the progress of science
. Burr was heavily influenced by White’s views, and assisted him in editing a series of articles, published in Popular Science
, covering all aspects of the debate. The final result was the two-volume History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom (1896).
In addition to paying Burr for his assistance, White offered Burr a place on the title page, which Burr declined, although he subsequently worked extensively on a revision of the work which was never published. This response was typical of Burr. Although he felt a great deal of sympathy for White’s project, Burr ultimately came to believe that the book did not do what its title suggested, and rejected White’s compromise to re-title the second volume the “Warfare of Humanity.” In 1904 he wrote to White, “Your book has, of course, the defects of its qualities. Its looseness of citation and broadness of statement are but a part of that genial companionableness and largeness which are its charm. Its whole treatment suggests rather the conversation of a scholarly and widely experienced man of action than the closet of the bookworm.”
from 1905-1915 with J. Franklin Jameson
, was a member of the American Historical Association
, and served as its President in 1916. He served as historical consultant for the U. S. Commission appointed by U.S. President Grover Cleveland
to settle a boundary dispute between Venezuela
and British Guiana
. The commission included two University Presidents, Andrew Dickson White
of Cornell and Daniel Coit Gilman
of Johns Hopkins, and White suggested that Burr be appointed to research the history and geography of the disputed territory. This assignment took Burr to archives in The Hague
and London
and he was also sent thousands of pages from the Venezuelan government, and in the end this effort occupied much of his time from 1896-1899. His friend and colleague J. Franklin Jameson
pronounced the Venezuela Boundary Commission report “as fine a piece of historical research and criticism as ever was buried in a government report.”
At Cornell, Burr is most remembered as a teacher who took great pains to encourage his students. He dined frequently at the Cornell women’s dining hall, to demonstrate his support for women’s education and to encourage student interest in history. His biographer, Roland Bainton
, credits Cornell in general and Burr in particular with populating the history faculties at Vassar and Wellesley, and identifies Burr as a key consultant to Stanford University (due to his friendship with and respect for David Starr Jordan
)and the University of California in the vetting of candidates. Among the students in whom he took he took an interest: Jessie Fauset, Winifred (Sprague) Humphrey, and Charles A. Beard
.
Students and colleagues who have explicitly acknowledged Burr's influence include:
Burr married Cornell graduate Mattie Alexander Martin in August, 1907. She died after giving birth in January, 1909, as did the child.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, and educator, best known as a Professor of History and Librarian 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...
, and as the closest collaborator of Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White was a U.S. diplomat, historian, and educator, who was the co-founder of Cornell University.-Family and personal life:...
, the first President of Cornell.
Burr was born in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and entered the Cortland Academy in 1869, where he first met Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White was a U.S. diplomat, historian, and educator, who was the co-founder of Cornell University.-Family and personal life:...
, who was guest speaker for its 50th anniversary. The financial Panic of 1873
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 triggered a severe international economic depression in both Europe and the United States that lasted until 1879, and even longer in some countries. The depression was known as the Great Depression until the 1930s, but is now known as the Long Depression...
wreaked havoc on his family’s finances, and he was forced to leave school and seek employment at age 16. After a brief stint as a schoolmaster, he apprenticed as a printer of The Standard at Cortland. After 4 years, he had saved $200, sufficient for him to matriculate at Cornell in 1877. As a sophomore, Burr audited a course for seniors taught by White on the historical development of criminal law, and received permission to sit for the exam. Prof. White was so impressed by Burr’s exam answers that he secretly appointed Burr as his examiner (i.e., grader) in history. White writes in his Autobiography, “Of course this was kept entirely secret; for had the Seniors known that I had entrusted their papers to the tender mercies of a Sophomore, they would probably have mobbed me.”
After his graduation in 1881, Burr accepted White’s offer to serve as an instructor and examiner in modern history, and also as White’s private secretary. This was the beginning of a literary partnership that lasted until White’s death in 1918. Under White’s tutelage, Burr developed into a scholar of medieval history. After traveling and studying in Switzerland, France, and Germany, Burr was appointed to the Cornell faculty in 1888 and made Professor of Medieval History in 1892. In 1919, he was elected John Stambaugh Professor of History.
Librarian, Collector of Rare Books for A. D. White
As the librarian of Andrew Dickson White’s historical rare book collection from 1880 to 1922, Burr and White built Cornell’s manuscript and rare book collections in the areas of witchcraft, the Reformation, and the French Revolution. His single most famous contribution in this area was his discovery in 1885, in the library at the University of Trier, of the Loos ManuscriptCornelius Loos
Cornelius Loos , also known as Losaeus Callidius, was a Roman Catholic priest, theologian, and Professor of Theology, and was the first Catholic official to write publicly against the witch trials then raging throughout Europe...
, one of the first books written in Germany against the witch trials, and long believed destroyed by the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
.
Ironically, this very discovery led Burr to abruptly leave his studies in Europe, and he never earned any higher degree beyond his A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Cornell (the degrees listed for Burr are honorary: an LL.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1904 and from Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
in 1907, and a Litt.D. from Western Reserve, now Case Western, in 1905).
The Warfare of Science with Theology
Starting in 1869, and throughout his career, Professor White argued that history showed the negative outcomes resulting from any attempt on the part of religionReligion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
to interfere with the progress of science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
. Burr was heavily influenced by White’s views, and assisted him in editing a series of articles, published in Popular Science
Popular Science
Popular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the ASME awards for its journalistic excellence in both 2003 and 2004...
, covering all aspects of the debate. The final result was the two-volume History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom (1896).
In addition to paying Burr for his assistance, White offered Burr a place on the title page, which Burr declined, although he subsequently worked extensively on a revision of the work which was never published. This response was typical of Burr. Although he felt a great deal of sympathy for White’s project, Burr ultimately came to believe that the book did not do what its title suggested, and rejected White’s compromise to re-title the second volume the “Warfare of Humanity.” In 1904 he wrote to White, “Your book has, of course, the defects of its qualities. Its looseness of citation and broadness of statement are but a part of that genial companionableness and largeness which are its charm. Its whole treatment suggests rather the conversation of a scholarly and widely experienced man of action than the closet of the bookworm.”
Scholarly and Teaching Pursuits
Burr’s most noted contributions came from his teaching and service work. He served as co-editor of the American Historical ReviewAmerican Historical Review
The American Historical Review is the official publication of the American Historical Association, established in 1895 "for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, and the dissemination of historical research." It targets readers...
from 1905-1915 with J. Franklin Jameson
J. Franklin Jameson
John Franklin Jameson was an American historian, author, and journal editor who played a major role in the professional activities of American historians in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
, was a member of the American Historical Association
American Historical Association
The American Historical Association is the oldest and largest society of historians and professors of history in the United States. Founded in 1884, the association promotes historical studies, the teaching of history, and the preservation of and access to historical materials...
, and served as its President in 1916. He served as historical consultant for the U. S. Commission appointed by U.S. President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
to settle a boundary dispute between Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
and British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
. The commission included two University Presidents, Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White
Andrew Dickson White was a U.S. diplomat, historian, and educator, who was the co-founder of Cornell University.-Family and personal life:...
of Cornell and Daniel Coit Gilman
Daniel Coit Gilman
Daniel Coit Gilman was an American educator and academician, who was instrumental in founding the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale College, and who subsequently served as one of the earliest presidents of the University of California, the first president of Johns Hopkins University, and as...
of Johns Hopkins, and White suggested that Burr be appointed to research the history and geography of the disputed territory. This assignment took Burr to archives in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and he was also sent thousands of pages from the Venezuelan government, and in the end this effort occupied much of his time from 1896-1899. His friend and colleague J. Franklin Jameson
J. Franklin Jameson
John Franklin Jameson was an American historian, author, and journal editor who played a major role in the professional activities of American historians in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
pronounced the Venezuela Boundary Commission report “as fine a piece of historical research and criticism as ever was buried in a government report.”
At Cornell, Burr is most remembered as a teacher who took great pains to encourage his students. He dined frequently at the Cornell women’s dining hall, to demonstrate his support for women’s education and to encourage student interest in history. His biographer, Roland Bainton
Roland Bainton
Roland Herbert Bainton was a British born American Protestant church historian.-Life:He was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England and came to the United States in 1902. He received an A.B. degree from Whitman College, and B.D. and Ph.D.. degrees from Yale University. He also received a number of...
, credits Cornell in general and Burr in particular with populating the history faculties at Vassar and Wellesley, and identifies Burr as a key consultant to Stanford University (due to his friendship with and respect for David Starr Jordan
David Starr Jordan
David Starr Jordan, Ph.D., LL.D. was a leading eugenicist, ichthyologist, educator and peace activist. He was president of Indiana University and Stanford University.-Early life and education:...
)and the University of California in the vetting of candidates. Among the students in whom he took he took an interest: Jessie Fauset, Winifred (Sprague) Humphrey, and Charles A. Beard
Charles A. Beard
Charles Austin Beard was, with Frederick Jackson Turner, one of the most influential American historians of the first half of the 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs, textbooks and interpretive studies in both history and political science...
.
Students and colleagues who have explicitly acknowledged Burr's influence include:
- Lois Oliphant Gibbons— Professor, Western College for WomenWestern College for WomenWestern College for Women was a women's college in Oxford, Ohio between 1855 and 1974.-History:Western College was founded in 1853 as Western Female Seminary. It was a daughter school of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Its first principal Helen Peabody and most of the early...
, now Miami UniversityMiami UniversityMiami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S... - Elizabeth Donnan— historian of the slave trade in America, author of the 4-volume Documents Illustrative of the Slave Trade to America
- Louise Fargo Brown— first woman to win the AHA Baxter Prize, in 1911, for her work The Political Activities of the Baptists and Fifth-Monarchy Men in England during the Interregnum
- Leo Gershoy— professor at New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU) 1940-1975, and in whose name the AHA awards an annual prize for the best new book on 17th or 18th century European history, and in whose name an annual lecture is given at NYU - George Matthew Dutcher— Professor of History at Wesleyan UniversityWesleyan UniversityWesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
- George H. Sabine— Professor of History, Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
- Edward M. Hulme— Professor of History, Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
1921-1937, and author of two books (see below) which explicitly state they are based on outlines "printed but not published" by George Lincoln Burr
Burr married Cornell graduate Mattie Alexander Martin in August, 1907. She died after giving birth in January, 1909, as did the child.
Contemporary References
The life of George Lincoln Burr and his discovery of the lost treatise of Loos is subject of Elmar Bereuters fictional historic novel Die LichtfängerWorks by Burr
- Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, 1648-1706, edited by G. L. Burr, 1914, New York: C Scribner's Sons, or Reprint, Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications, 2002. Also available online at Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, 1648-1706
- The Freedom of History (Burr's 1916 Presidential address to the American Historical Association), The American Historical Review, Vol. 22, No. 2. (Jan., 1917), pp. 253-271. Also available online at The Freedom of History
- Venezuela-British Guiana Boundary Commission, Appointed by the President of the United States 'to investigate and report upon the true divisional line between the Republic of Venezuela and British Guiana." Reports. Washington: Government Print Office, 1897.
- New England's place in the history of witchcraft. Freeport, N.Y.: Books for Libraries Press, 1971.
Works in which Burr's notes are cited as the basis of the publication
- Hulme, Edward Maslin (1923), The Renaissance, the Protestant Revolution and the Catholic Reformation in Continental Europe, New York: The Century Press
- Hulme, Edward Maslin (1929), "The Middle Ages", New York : H. Holt
Works about Burr
- George Lincoln Burr: His life, by Roland H. Bainton; Selections from His Writings, edited by Lois Oliphant Gibbons. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1943.
- Persecution and liberty; Essays in Honor of George Lincoln Burr. Freeport, N.Y.: Books for Libraries Press, 1968.
- Great teachers : portrayed by those who studied under them, edited / with an introduction by Houston Peterson, (1955), New York: Vintage Books
