Dr. Daniel Klingensmith

Professor of History

I was born midway between the outbreak of the First World War and the present.  The century that has elapsed between 1914 and the present is the central period in which I'm interested, both as a historian and as a citizen.  As interested as I am in the first fifty years of that time, I'm glad that my almost fifty years came after. But I think the last hundred years have set a lot of challenges for us over the next hundred years.  The history that we are able to recognize and learn about will be invaluable in helping us navigate the dangers that lie ahead.   I primarily teach modern world history at Maryville College: in particular, twentieth century  Europe and South Asia--the world wars, the Depression, the beginning of the end of European colonialism, and the framing of alternatives to colonialism. 

Right now my research is focused on thinking about nature, society and economy in the interwar United States, British Empire and Europe.  My best rationale for that is that it was in these contexts that our contemporary models for thinking about these things were framed during the world wars and especially the years in between.  In addition to these teaching and research interests, I also learn and teach about early modern world history and the Islamic world.  If I had more time, I'd spend at least part of it on the histories of the Hapsburg empire and Mughal India.

I like to hike, bike, travel , and (though I'm not good at it) learn languages.  I was born in Beckley, West Virginia.