Jeffrey Burton Russell: Difference between revisions

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| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1934}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1934}}
| birth_place = California
| birth_place = California
| death_date = 2023/04/12
| death_date = 12 April 2023
| death_place =
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| alma_mater =
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| occupation =
| occupation =
| years_active = 1965-Present
| years_active = 1965-2023
| employer = [[University of California, Santa Barbara]]
| employer = [[University of California, Santa Barbara]]
| organization =
| organization =
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| spouse = Pamela Russell, Diana Mansfield Russell (deceased)
| spouse = Pamela Russell, Diana Mansfield Russell (deceased)
| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| children = [[Jennifer Ellen Russell]], Mark Lewis Russell, William Henry Russell, Penelope Russell
| children = Jennifer Ellen Russell, Mark Lewis Russell, William Henry Russell, Penelope Russell
| parents = Lewis Russell, Aida Raffetto
| parents = Lewis Russell, Aida Raffetto
| relatives =
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'''Jeffrey Burton Russell''' (born 1934) is an American historian and [[religious studies]] scholar.
'''Jeffrey Burton Russell''' (1 August 1934 - 12 April 2023) was an American historian of medieval Europe and [[religious studies]] scholar.<ref>[https://history.ucsb.edu/2023/05/22/in-memoriam-jeffrey-russell-1934-2023/ "In Memoriam, Jeffrey Russell"] accessed 24 May 2023</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Russell received his undergraduate degree from the [[University of California, Berkeley]] in 1955 and his PhD from [[Emory University]] in 1960.
Russell received his undergraduate degree from the [[University of California, Berkeley]] in 1955 and his PhD in History from [[Emory University]] in 1960.


==Career==
==Career==
He is currently Professor Emeritus of History at the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]]. He has also taught History and Religious Studies at Berkeley, [[University of California, Riverside|Riverside]], [[California State University, Sacramento]], [[Harvard University|Harvard]], [[University of New Mexico|New Mexico]], and [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeffery Burton Russell|url=http://www.veritas-ucsb.org/library/russell/home.html|work=Veritas Forum at UCSB|access-date=April 13, 2012}}</ref>
Russell held a number of academic posts, moving to the History Department at the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] until his retirement. He taught History and Religious Studies at Berkeley, [[University of California, Riverside|Riverside]], [[California State University, Sacramento]], [[Harvard University|Harvard]], [[University of New Mexico|New Mexico]], and [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeffery Burton Russell|url=http://www.veritas-ucsb.org/library/russell/home.html|work=Veritas Forum at UCSB|access-date=April 13, 2012}}</ref>


Russell has published widely, mostly in [[Middle Ages|medieval European history]] and the history of [[theology]]. His first book was ''Dissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages'' (1965). He is most noted for his five-volume history of the concept of [[the Devil]]: ''The Devil'' (1977), ''Satan'' (1981), ''Lucifer'' (1984), ''Mephistopheles'' (1986) and ''The Prince of Darkness'' (1988).
Russell published widely, largely on [[Middle Ages|medieval European history]] and the history of Christian [[theology]]. His first book was ''Dissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages'' (1965). He is most noted for his five-volume history of the concept of [[the Devil]]: ''The Devil'' (1977), ''Satan'' (1981), ''Lucifer'' (1984), ''Mephistopheles'' (1986) and ''The Prince of Darkness'' (1988) published by Cornell University Press.


In ''[[Inventing the Flat Earth]]'' (1991) he argues that 19th century anti-[[Christianity|Christians]] invented and spread the falsehood that educated people in the Middle Ages believed that the earth was [[Flat Earth|flat]]. As one writer summarizes, "Russell also examined a large selection of textbooks and found those written before 1870 usually included the correct account, but most textbooks written after 1880 uncritically repeated the erroneous claims in [[Washington Irving]], [[John William Draper]] and [[Andrew Dickson White]]. Russell concludes that Irving, Draper and White were the main writers responsible for introducing the erroneous [[flat-earth myth]] that is still with us today."
In ''[[Inventing the Flat Earth]]'' (1991) he argues that 19th century anti-[[Christianity|Christians]] invented and spread the falsehood that educated people in the Middle Ages believed that the earth was [[Flat Earth|flat]]. As one writer summarizes, "Russell also examined a large selection of textbooks and found those written before 1870 usually included the correct account, but most textbooks written after 1880 uncritically repeated the erroneous claims in [[Washington Irving]], [[John William Draper]] and [[Andrew Dickson White]]. Russell concludes that Irving, Draper and White were the main writers responsible for introducing the erroneous [[flat-earth myth]] that is still with us today."


Russell has also written two books on the history of the notion of [[Heaven]]: ''A History of Heaven: The Singing Silence'' (1997), which deals with the period from around 200 B.C. up to [[Dante]], and ''Paradise Mislaid'' (2006), which takes the story up to the present day.
Russell wrote two books on the history of the notion of [[Heaven]]: ''A History of Heaven: The Singing Silence'' (1997), which deals with the period from around 200 B.C. up to [[Dante]], and ''Paradise Mislaid'' (2006), which takes the story up to the early 21st century.

==Works==
==Works==
The Library of Congress lists 18 books written by Russell:
The Library of Congress lists 18 books written by Russell:
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| archive-date = 4 June 2014}}</ref>
| archive-date = 4 June 2014}}</ref>
* Fellow, [[Medieval Academy of America]] (1985) <ref>[https://www.medievalacademy.org/page/CompleteFellows / Fellows of the Medieval Academy] accessed 12 April 2023</ref>
* Fellow, [[Medieval Academy of America]] (1985) <ref>[https://www.medievalacademy.org/page/CompleteFellows / Fellows of the Medieval Academy] accessed 12 April 2023</ref>
* Faculty Research Lecturer, Academic Senate Award, [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] 1990-91.
* Faculty Research Lecturer, Academic Senate Award, [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] 1990-91.

==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://history.ucsb.edu/2023/05/22/in-memoriam-jeffrey-russell-1934-2023/ "In Memoriam, Jeffrey Russell"] accessed 24 May 2023.
* [http://www.veritas-ucsb.org/library/russell/ University of California, Santa Barbara]: Jeffrey Burton Russell
* [http://www.veritas-ucsb.org/library/russell/ University of California, Santa Barbara]: Jeffrey Burton Russell
* [http://www.britannica.com/bps/user-profile/4748/jeffrey%20burton-russell Encyclopædia Britannica]: Jeffrey Burton Russell
* [http://www.britannica.com/bps/user-profile/4748/jeffrey%20burton-russell Encyclopædia Britannica]: Jeffrey Burton Russell
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[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni]]
[[Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni]]
[[Category:Emory University alumni]]
[[Category:Emory University alumni]]

Revision as of 10:37, 24 May 2023

Jeffrey Burton Russell
Born1934 (age 89–90)
California
Died12 April 2023
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley (BA)
Emory University (PhD)
Years active1965-2023
EmployerUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
Known forProfessor of Medieval History
Notable workDissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages, History of Medieval Christianity, Witchcraft in the Middle Ages, Prince of Darkness: Radical Evil and the Power of Good in History, A History of Heaven
Spouse(s)Pamela Russell, Diana Mansfield Russell (deceased)
ChildrenJennifer Ellen Russell, Mark Lewis Russell, William Henry Russell, Penelope Russell
Parent(s)Lewis Russell, Aida Raffetto
AwardsFulbright Fellow, Harvard Junior Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow

Jeffrey Burton Russell (1 August 1934 - 12 April 2023) was an American historian of medieval Europe and religious studies scholar.[1]

Early life

Russell received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1955 and his PhD in History from Emory University in 1960.

Career

Russell held a number of academic posts, moving to the History Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara until his retirement. He taught History and Religious Studies at Berkeley, Riverside, California State University, Sacramento, Harvard, New Mexico, and Notre Dame.[2]

Russell published widely, largely on medieval European history and the history of Christian theology. His first book was Dissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages (1965). He is most noted for his five-volume history of the concept of the Devil: The Devil (1977), Satan (1981), Lucifer (1984), Mephistopheles (1986) and The Prince of Darkness (1988) published by Cornell University Press.

In Inventing the Flat Earth (1991) he argues that 19th century anti-Christians invented and spread the falsehood that educated people in the Middle Ages believed that the earth was flat. As one writer summarizes, "Russell also examined a large selection of textbooks and found those written before 1870 usually included the correct account, but most textbooks written after 1880 uncritically repeated the erroneous claims in Washington Irving, John William Draper and Andrew Dickson White. Russell concludes that Irving, Draper and White were the main writers responsible for introducing the erroneous flat-earth myth that is still with us today."

Russell wrote two books on the history of the notion of Heaven: A History of Heaven: The Singing Silence (1997), which deals with the period from around 200 B.C. up to Dante, and Paradise Mislaid (2006), which takes the story up to the early 21st century.

Works

The Library of Congress lists 18 books written by Russell:

  • Dissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages (1965, 1982, 1992)
  • Medieval Civilization (1968)
  • History of Medieval Christianity: Prophecy & Order (1968, 1986, 2000)
  • Religious Dissent in the Middle Ages (edited by Jeffrey B. Russell) (1971)
  • Witchcraft in the Middle Ages (1972)
  • The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity (1977)
  • History of Witchcraft, Sorcerers, Heretics, and Pagans (1980, 2007)
  • Medieval Heresies: a Bibliography, 1960-1979 (with Carl T. Berkhout) (1981)
  • Satan: The Early Christian Tradition (1981)
  • Lucifer: The Devil in the Middle Ages (1984)
  • Mephistopheles: The Devil in the Modern World (1986)
  • The Prince of Darkness: Radical Evil and the Power of Good in History (1988)
  • Inventing the Flat Earth: Columbus and Modern Historians (1991)
  • History of Heaven: the Singing Silence (1997)
  • "Devil, Heresy, and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages" in Essays in Honor of Jeffrey B. Russell (edited by Alberto Ferreiro) (1998)
  • Life of the Jura Fathers: The Life and Rule of the Holy Fathers Romanus, Lupicinus, and Eugendus, Abbots of the Monasteries in the Jura Mountains (1999)
  • Paradise Mislaid: How We Lost Heaven—and How We Can Regain It (2006)
  • Exposing Myths about Christianity: A Guide to Answering 145 Viral Lies and Legends (2012)

Articles by Russell include:

  • "Flattening the Earth" (2002)[3]

Book reviews by Russell include:

  • "Satan: A Biography" (2007)[4]
  • "Bad to the Bone" (2008)[5]
  • "A God of the Times" (2009)[6]

Honors and accolades

References

  1. ^ "In Memoriam, Jeffrey Russell" accessed 24 May 2023
  2. ^ "Jeffery Burton Russell". Veritas Forum at UCSB. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  3. ^ Russell, Jeffrey Burton (September–October 2002). "Flattening the Earth". Lawrence Hall of Science (reprinted from Mercury Magazine). pp. 34–38. Archived from the original on 2015-06-23. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
  4. ^ Russell, Jeffrey Burton (20 February 2007). "Satan: A Biography". The Christian Century. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  5. ^ Russell, Jeffrey Burton (Summer 2008). "Bad to the Bone". Wilson Quarterly. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  6. ^ Russell, Jeffrey Burton (Summer 2009). "A God of the Times". Wilson Quarterly. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Jeffrey Burton Russell". Guggenheim Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2013. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 4 June 2013 suggested (help)
  8. ^ / Fellows of the Medieval Academy accessed 12 April 2023

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeffrey_Burton_Russell&oldid=1156738343"