Richard Leopold

In Memoriam

Professor Richard Leopold, eminent scholar of American diplomatic history and world-class teacher and friend, passed away in Evanston in November at age 94. A memorial service was held in Harris Hall in January.

He was born in 1912 on the upper west side of Manhattan. After graduating from Princeton University with highest honors, he pursued graduate study at Harvard, receiving a PhD in 1938. His doctoral dissertation became his first book, Robert Dale Owen: A Biography, which won the American Historical Association’s John H. Dunning Prize for the best book on any topic of U.S. history. He served his country as a naval officer in World War II and later as advisor on committees for, among others, the Secretary of the Navy, the Department of State and the Atomic Energy Commission.

Dick joined the Northwestern faculty in 1948 and he helped assemble one of the most distinguished groups of historians at any institution. His own widely-read works included Problems in American History, with Arthur S. Link, and The Growth of American Foreign Policy: A History. At the height of the Vietnam War protests, he led the successful drive to save Northwestern’s Naval ROTC program.

Leopold considered his students to be his family. During forty years at Northwestern, his legendary high standards, intellectual energy, and insightful mentoring left an indelible mark on students who carried his lessons into successful careers. The Richard W. Leopold Lectureship, established by alumni, colleagues and friends, brings to campus experts in public affairs, who challenge new generations of students to think critically about America’s place in the world. In this annual event and through the Leopold Professorship in History, also endowed by his students, the reputation and kindness of Richard Leopold will continue to inspire.

To let his students have the final say, these words are excerpted from congratulatory letters he received in fall 2006, marking the establishment of the Leopold professorship.

“I was dismayed that all of my pre-law courses were full …. Fate intervened during dinnertime, which saw me at my usual position as dishwasher in the Willard cafeteria. One of the bus boys brought in a tray, complaining that he had just enrolled in a class that met at 8 a.m. and was thinking better of it. Desperate for a course, I offered him $10 to drop it…. By next morning I was in History C13. Two years later I had completed the Leopold ‘ring’and was a pre-law student no longer. It was the best $10 I ever spent.”

—Michael A. Barnhart, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of History, Stony Brook University

“I wouldn’t have made that mile trek down Sheridan Road in the dead of winter at that hour of the morning for anybody but Dick Leopold.”

—Bob Heuchling ’73

“You are the only professor I ever had who received an ovation after every lecture.”

—Dave Corbett ’60

[In Professor Leopold’s class] I earned far more than a good grade and a check-off of a course requirement. I gained a teacher, a friend, a mentor, and a confidante whose wisdom, friendship, and love helped guide me through my remaining three years at Northwestern and immeasurably influenced me in my life and career long after graduation.

—Bob Barber ’79