Merle Curti died 3/9/96 in Madison, Wisonsin at age 98. He was among the most prolific and influential historians of the century.

Born in rural Nebraska in 1897, Curti worked with Frederick Jackson Turner at Harvard and took a PhD in 1927. After teaching at Smith College (1925-1937) and Teachers College (Columbia U) (1937-47), we went to Wisconsin (1947-68). He directed innumerable dissertations, and has been emeritus for 28 years. Curti served as president of the American Historical Association (1953-54). He wrote widely on intellectual history and the history of education, and was a pioneer in the new social history. The "Curti-Todd" textbook was standard for generations of high school students. His memory is honored by two prizes awarded by the OAH.

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