Rhys L. Isaac
Encyclopedia
Rhys Llywelyn Isaac was a South African-born Australian historian, who also worked in the United States.
Isaac and his twin brother Glynn
were born in Cape Town, South Africa, to William Edwyn Isaac and Frances Leighton Isaac. Rhys Isaac was the 1959 Cape Province Rhodes Scholar at Balliol College (Oxford).
In 1963 he emigrated to Australia
, where he taught at the University of Melbourne
and later at La Trobe University
(1971-91). He also was Emeritus Professor of American History at La Trobe University, and a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Early American History at the College of William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia
.
In 1983, Rhys Isaac won the Pulitzer Prize
for History for his book The Transformation of Virginia, 1740-1790. He remains the only Australian historian ever to win a Pulitzer Prize
. 2005 saw the publication of Isaac's Landon Carter's Uneasy Kingdom: Revolution and Rebellion on a Virginia Plantation, which made use of the exemplary diary of a Virginian landholder and member of the House of Burgesses
.
, Australia, on 6 October 2010, aged 72, from undisclosed causes.
Isaac and his twin brother Glynn
Glynn Isaac
Glynn Llywelyn Isaac was a South African archaeologist who specialised in the very early prehistory of Africa...
were born in Cape Town, South Africa, to William Edwyn Isaac and Frances Leighton Isaac. Rhys Isaac was the 1959 Cape Province Rhodes Scholar at Balliol College (Oxford).
In 1963 he emigrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where he taught at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
and later at La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
(1971-91). He also was Emeritus Professor of American History at La Trobe University, and a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Early American History at the College of William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
.
In 1983, Rhys Isaac won the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
for History for his book The Transformation of Virginia, 1740-1790. He remains the only Australian historian ever to win a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
. 2005 saw the publication of Isaac's Landon Carter's Uneasy Kingdom: Revolution and Rebellion on a Virginia Plantation, which made use of the exemplary diary of a Virginian landholder and member of the House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
.
Death
Rhys Isaac died at his home in Blairgowrie, VictoriaBlairgowrie, Victoria
Blairgowrie is a seaside village approximately 87 km from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.-History:...
, Australia, on 6 October 2010, aged 72, from undisclosed causes.