Former UMass Political Scientist Gerard Braunthal Commemorated for 100th Anniversary of Birth

Image

A century after his birth, the legacy of the late UMass Amherst political scientist Gerard Braunthal lives on, particularly in Braunthal’s birthplace of Gera, Germany, where he and his father, Alfred, a trade unionist and scholar on religion and politics, are revered as the city’s most important Jewish scholars. Their contributions to the fields of political science and economics were recently honored by the local university, Gera-Eisenach Cooperative State University, which held a celebration Jan. 16 commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Gerard Braunthal’s birth.

Gerard Braunthal joined the political science faculty at UMass in 1954 and was appointed full professor in 1967. He was known in both Germany and the U.S. as an authority on modern German politics, with a focus on the German Social Democratic party. At UMass, Braunthal taught courses in comparative government, foreign policy and international law. He also taught overseas in Germany and India as part of the Fulbright Program.

“I never knew him as a professor, but Amherst and UMass were intertwined with my perception of his identity,” Stephanie Braunthal says of her grandfather. “He was always reading, working on a new book in his manuscript-lined study, and introducing us to university-affiliated neighbors. We would even use the offerings of the Five College Consortium as the basis for our weekend activities.”

Image

As a child, Gert (later Gerard) Braunthal fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1933, first to Austria, then to Belgium and finally to the United States in 1936. During World War II, he served in intelligence in the U.S. Army, and later during his doctoral studies, as an interviewer for U.S. Airforce Intelligence. Braunthal earned a bachelor’s degree from Queens College in 1947, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan a year later, and a doctorate from Columbia University in 1953.

In addition to his scholarship, Braunthal was active in the anti-war and anti-nuclear movements, serving on the executive committees of the Valley Peace Center and the Citizens for Participation in Political Action.

Following his retirement in 1988, Braunthal continued his scholarship as a professor emeritus and in 2009 published a book on right-wing extremism in modern-day Germany. He received many research grants and honors during his career, including the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit, awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Braunthal’s second-eldest granddaughter, Kimberly, says her grandfather’s writings remain relevant today, given the current state of politics in the U.S. “I think the biggest takeaway from my grandfather and great-grandfather’s work is the underscored importance of truly understanding history to prevent repeating past mistakes,” she says.

Though he passed away in 2014 at the age of 90, Braunthal’s research, writings and teaching continue to inspire today’s political thought. Among those who have carried on his scholarship and legacy is former student Mario Kessler, now a senior fellow at the Leibniz Center for Contemporary Historical Research in Potsdam, Germany. Kessler delivered the keynote talk during the commemoration honoring Braunthal and his father.

“Our family is so humbled and honored that his life’s work is being recognized by the city of Gera. As one of his colleagues remarked perfectly, Jerry was a ‘modest Giant.’ He would have been Very humbled to know that such an event was taking place,” says Braunthal’s youngest granddaughter, Ashley.

Braunthal’s papers, including correspondence, manuscripts and research materials, are housed at the Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center at UMass Amherst.