Page 47 - Berkshire Encyclopedia Of World History Vol I - Abraham to Coal
P. 47
About
William H. McNeill,
Senior Editor
illiam H. McNeill is the Robert A. Millikan cil for History Standards (1992–1994); and president of
WDistinguished Service Professor Emeritus of the American History Association (1985).
History at the University of Chicago. He received his McNeill married Elizabeth Darbishire in 1946 and
Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1947 (and 20 hon- they have four children and eleven grandchildren. Each
orary degrees since) and is a renowned world historian summer and at Christmas they come together for a
and amateur gardener. In 1996 McNeill was awarded clan gathering at the family home in Connecticut.
the prestigious Erasmus Prize for his contributions to
European culture.
McNeill’s many books include: Rise of the West: A
History of the Human Community (9th edition, 1991),
which received the National Book Award & Gordon J.
Laing prize; Plagues and Peoples (revised edition,
1998); Pursuit of Power (1982); Keeping Together in
Time: Dance & Drill in Human History (1995); and,
with J. R. McNeill, The Human Web: A Birdseye View of
Human History (2003).
He has been a member of the editorial board for the
Encyclopedia Britannica (1981–1998); the vice chairman
of the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee
Commission (1985–1993); co-chair of the curriculum
task force for the National Commission on Social Stud-
ies (1987–1989); vice chairman for the National Coun- William H. McNeill
liii
