Historian and author specializing in Latin American history, particularly the Spanish Empire and its colonial legacy. Known for his groundbreaking research and writings on the subject.
Clarence H. Haring is renowned for being a trailblazer in the study of Latin American colonial institutions, inspiring a new generation of scholars in the United States to explore this fascinating field. As a historian, Haring delved into the intricacies of the Spanish Empire and Latin America, leaving an indelible mark on the academic community.
Born on February 9, 1885, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Clarence H. Haring was the son of Henry Getman Haring, a businessman, and Amelia Stoneback. He received his bachelor's degree in modern languages from Harvard University in 1907, where he was selected for a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. This opportunity took him to Oxford University, where he studied under the guidance of Professor Sir Charles Harding Firth from 1907 to 1910.
During his time at Oxford, Haring was a member of New College and produced his first book, The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII Century, under Firth's guidance. This research laid the groundwork for Haring's lifelong work on the history of the Spanish Empire and Latin America. In 1909, he also briefly studied at the Humboldt University of Berlin, further expanding his knowledge and perspectives.
In 1910, Haring returned to Harvard University as an instructor in history, teaching a course in Latin American history. He began work on his doctoral dissertation, Trade and Navigation between Spain and the Indies in the Time of the Habsburgs, under the direction of Professor Roger B. Merriman. In 1912, Bryn Mawr College appointed him head of its history department, and in 1913, he married Helen Louise Garnsey, with whom he had two sons, Philip and Peter.
In 1915, Haring went to Clark University for a year, and in 1916, he was appointed to the history faculty at Yale University, where he remained until 1923. His doctoral dissertation, published in 1918, was awarded the David A. Wells Prize at Harvard for the best dissertation in economics.
In 1923, Harvard University appointed Haring the Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History, a position he held until his passing in 1960. This marked a new chapter in his academic career, allowing him to further explore and share his vast knowledge of Latin American history with the academic community.
Clarence H. Haring's contributions to the field of Latin American history are immeasurable. He inspired a new generation of scholars, paving the way for a deeper understanding of the region's complex colonial past. His work continues to influence historians, researchers, and students alike, cementing his legacy as a pioneering historian of Latin America.
Clarence H. Haring passed away on September 4, 1960, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, leaving behind a rich legacy of academic achievements and a lasting impact on the study of Latin American history.
Born in 1861
Pioneering historian who coined the "Frontier Thesis," arguing that the American West's vast open spaces shaped the country's unique identity and democratic values.
Born in 1863
A pioneering historian of American colonial history, known for his exhaustive research and insightful writings that shaped the field of American historical studies.
