Gunther Barth
Encyclopedia
Gunther Paul Barth was an American
historian. Barth joined the University of California, Berkeley
faculty in 1962, and taught Western American and urban history until his retirement in 1995. During his career he had reached the position of Professor of History.
Barth came to the United States and to the study of American history on an unusual path. Barth attended local schools in Düsseldorf until he was 16 years of age, after which World War II was well under way, and he was drafted into the military. He fought on several fronts, was wounded twice, and captured by British forces.
After the war, and out of the army, he worked as a journalist in Düsseldorf until 1951. During two of those years he studied literature and art history at the University of Cologne
; he also won a year-long fellowship, awarded by the U.S. State Department, which enabled him to study at the University of Oregon
. After another year in Cologne
, he returned to the United States, worked in New York City
in construction and, for a short time, as a nightclub bouncer.
By 1957, armed with an A.B. and an M.A. from the University of Oregon, he felt ready for doctoral work in history and entered Harvard University
. Studying for five years, Barth was awarded a Ph.D. for his work in 1962.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian. Barth joined the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
faculty in 1962, and taught Western American and urban history until his retirement in 1995. During his career he had reached the position of Professor of History.
Barth came to the United States and to the study of American history on an unusual path. Barth attended local schools in Düsseldorf until he was 16 years of age, after which World War II was well under way, and he was drafted into the military. He fought on several fronts, was wounded twice, and captured by British forces.
After the war, and out of the army, he worked as a journalist in Düsseldorf until 1951. During two of those years he studied literature and art history at the University of Cologne
University of Cologne
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and, with over 44,000 students, one of the largest universities in Germany. The university is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, an association of Germany's leading research universities...
; he also won a year-long fellowship, awarded by the U.S. State Department, which enabled him to study at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. After another year in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, he returned to the United States, worked in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in construction and, for a short time, as a nightclub bouncer.
By 1957, armed with an A.B. and an M.A. from the University of Oregon, he felt ready for doctoral work in history and entered Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Studying for five years, Barth was awarded a Ph.D. for his work in 1962.