Theodore Ropp
Encyclopedia
Theodore Ropp was a professor at Duke University
and recognized as the leading military historian in the United States.
, where he graduated with his bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude in 1934. He went to Harvard University
. where he received his masters degree in history in 1935 and his PhD in 1937 with a doctoral thesis on 'The development of a modern navy: French naval policy, 1871-1904'. He married Elizabeth S. Chapman on 8 September 1937, with whom he had three children: Stephen C. Ropp, Frederick Ropp, and Paul T. Ropp.
in 1937-38. In 1938, Duke University
appointed him instructor in history. Remaining at Duke for the remainder of his career, he was appointed professor in 1959 and professor emeritus in 1980. Ropp first became well known through his contribution to Edward Mead Earle's widely used book Makers of Modern Strategy, published in 1943. His chapter on 'Continental doctrines of seapower' built on his doctoral thesis on the French Navy and made a particularly perceptive academic contribution during World War Two. Later, his major book, War in the Modern Age became a standard text in military and naval academies and service colleges.
Ropp's expertise was in wide demand as one of the few American civilian academics working in military and naval history. He served as the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History
at the U.S. Naval War College in 1962-63. He undertook special research on compulsory military service and military conscription in the British Commonwealth. He was a member of the Army Historical Advisory Committee, in 1962-65, 1969-72. He served as director, Policy Advisory Committee, Historical Evaluation and Research Organization, from 1963, then served as chairman of the board from 1965. He was professor U.S. Military History Research Collection at the U.S. Army War College
in 1972-73; visiting professor of military history U.S. Military Academy, 1976-77; visiting professor, National University of Singapore
, 1980; Royal Military College, Duntroon
Australia, 1980, and the University of New South Wales
, 1980. In 1982-84, he was visiting professor at the University of North Carolina
.
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
and recognized as the leading military historian in the United States.
Early life and education
The son of Irwin Ropp, an engineer, and his wife, Margaret Esh, Theodore Ropp attended Oberlin CollegeOberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
, where he graduated with his bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude in 1934. He went to 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...
. where he received his masters degree in history in 1935 and his PhD in 1937 with a doctoral thesis on 'The development of a modern navy: French naval policy, 1871-1904'. He married Elizabeth S. Chapman on 8 September 1937, with whom he had three children: Stephen C. Ropp, Frederick Ropp, and Paul T. Ropp.
Academic career
Theodore Ropp's first teaching position was as an instructor in history at Harvard UniversityHarvard 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...
in 1937-38. In 1938, Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
appointed him instructor in history. Remaining at Duke for the remainder of his career, he was appointed professor in 1959 and professor emeritus in 1980. Ropp first became well known through his contribution to Edward Mead Earle's widely used book Makers of Modern Strategy, published in 1943. His chapter on 'Continental doctrines of seapower' built on his doctoral thesis on the French Navy and made a particularly perceptive academic contribution during World War Two. Later, his major book, War in the Modern Age became a standard text in military and naval academies and service colleges.
Ropp's expertise was in wide demand as one of the few American civilian academics working in military and naval history. He served as the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History
Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History
In May 1948, the President of the Naval War College Admiral Raymond Spruance recommended a plan to establish a civilian professorship of maritime history at the Naval War College. Approved by Secretary of the Navy John L. Sullivan on 29 December 1948, the post was not filled “for lack of funds”...
at the U.S. Naval War College in 1962-63. He undertook special research on compulsory military service and military conscription in the British Commonwealth. He was a member of the Army Historical Advisory Committee, in 1962-65, 1969-72. He served as director, Policy Advisory Committee, Historical Evaluation and Research Organization, from 1963, then served as chairman of the board from 1965. He was professor U.S. Military History Research Collection at the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
in 1972-73; visiting professor of military history U.S. Military Academy, 1976-77; visiting professor, National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, 1980; Royal Military College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
Australia, 1980, and the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, 1980. In 1982-84, he was visiting professor at the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
.
Published works
- Continental Doctrines of Seapower in Edward M. Earle, ed., Makers of Modern Strategy, (Princeton University Press, 1943).
- Historical Background of the World Today: A Synopsis. Edited by Theodore Ropp with Harold T. Parker. (Rinehart, 1947).
- War in the Modern World, (Duke University Press, 1959, revised edition, Collier, 1962, new revised edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000).
- Festschrift for Frederick B. Artz, edited by Theodore Ropp with David H. Pinkney (Duke University Press, 1964).
- The Historical Development of Contemporary Strategy, (U.S. Air Force Academy, 1970).
- History of War, (Hamburg Press, 1984).
- The Development of a Modern Navy: French Naval Policy, 1871-1904, by Theodore Ropp,edited by Stephen S. Roberts, (Naval Institute Press, 1987).
Sources
- Gale Contemporary Authors
- Obituary Chronicle, 6 December 2000
- Ropp Family Bible