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The 1960 Serra Award of the Americas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2015

Extract

The Serra Award of the Americas was presented to Professor Arthur P. Whitaker of the University of Pennsylvania on December 18, 1960, at the Academy of American Franciscan History by Father Antonine Tibesar, Director of the Academy. The speech given on that occasion by a former student of Professor Whitaker, Joseph R. Barager of the Department of State, and Professor Whitaker's response are presented in the following pages.

It is a very real pleasure to participate in the Academy's fine program honoring the great masters in the field of Latin American history. This is particularly true this evening, when I am afforded the opportunity to represent the former students of Professor Arthur P. Whitaker in this well-deserved tribute. Anyone who knows anything about Latin American history or about United States diplomatic history recognizes the name Arthur P. Whitaker. Latin American specialists throughout the world do more than recognize it; they respect Professor Whitaker as one of the world's foremost authorities on Latin America. Anyone curious to check the chronology of Professor Whitaker's career can turn to Who's Who In America for data on his education, marriage, and professional career, including his achievements and honors. I would prefer to skip over that data and concentrate on Arthur P. Whitaker, the historian, the teacher, and the man.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Academy of American Franciscan History 1961

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References

1 The author has contacted and received replies from nearly all of Professor Whitaker’s former students. The similarity of their praise for his integrity, thorough research, objective viewpoint, clear writing style and intellectual toughness is no mere coincidence. Their contributions, which proved very useful in the preparation of this essay, are hereby gratefully acknowledged. Responsibility for the viewpoints expressed, however, is the author’s. No individual’s views, including those subsequently cited, were used unless the author was in full agreement with them.

2 Everyone interested in the relation of the Enlightenment to Latin America will be glad to know that Cornell University Press will publish a paperback reissue of Latin America and the Enlightenment during the coming year (August or September). It will contain an updated bibliographical section, a new preface, an index and a new chapter on political aspects of the Enlightenment by Charles Griffin to replace the original chapter by Arthur Scott Aiton.

3 Arthur P. Whitaker to Joseph R. Barager, December 6, 1960.

4 Clement G. Motten to Joseph R. Barager, November 28, 1960.

5 Ibid.