"I made a point of always teaching undergraduates because they are not a captive audience. . . . I always tried out my research ideas first in the classroom to get feedback from people who didn't have to listen to me if I didn't make it interesting."
Edmund Morgan
Historian
Edmund Morgan was a prominent American historian known for his influential works on early American history, particularly regarding slavery and freedom.
- Born
- January 1, 1916
- Quotes
- 5
- Rank
- #5289
About Edmund Morgan
Edmund Morgan — Life and Legacy
Edmund Morgan, a distinguished American historian, is celebrated for his profound insights into the complexities of American history, particularly in his seminal work 'American Slavery, American Freedom'. His scholarship challenges conventional narratives by exploring the intricate relationship between the institution of slavery and the ideals of liberty that shaped the United States. Morgan's assertion that 'freedom is not a gift' encapsulates his belief that true liberty requires active engagement and struggle, rather than mere acceptance. He highlights the paradox that the freedoms enjoyed by many were often built upon the oppression of others, prompting a reevaluation of the American narrative. Morgan's exploration of the American Revolution as a struggle for power reveals the underlying tensions between different social classes, emphasizing that the fight for independence was also a fight for control and influence. His work continues to resonate, urging readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of history and recognize the ongoing implications of these foundational conflicts.
Quote collection
Edmund Morgan quotes
5 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Children whose curiosity survives parental discipline and who manage to grow up before they blow up are invited to join the Yale faculty. Within the university they go on asking their questions and trying to find the answers ... it is a place where the world's hostility to curiosity can be defied."
"A historian should not be didactic-that is a word that makes my blood run cold."
"History at its best is vicarious experience."
"The British government had not engaged in any serious actual oppression of the colonies before 1774, but it had claimed powers not granted by the governed, powers that made oppression possible, powers that it began to exercise in 1774 in response to colonial denial of them. The Revolution came about not to overthrow tyranny, but to prevent it."