Edward McNall Burns:
Western civilization through 12 editions

Burns, a history and political science professor at Rutgers University for 23 years, managed to free himself from the rigors of his own disciplines so he could examine both subjects from a broad philosophical viewpoint. He wrote the widely used college textbook, Western Civilization: Their History and Their Culture. It's a standard freshman textbook used in many American colleges and was first published by W.W. Norton in 1941. The fourth edition, in 1954, was translated into Spanish. The book, published by W.W. Norton, entered its 12th edition in 1993.

In his Western civilization textbook, Burns defines civilization as culture that has reached a stage of advancement. He said the political, social and economic institutions have developed sufficiently to conquer some problems of order, security and efficiency in a complex society.

Speaking in general about history, Burns, who died July 14, 1972, at age 75, said, "Most progress worth mentioning in the past resulted from the growth of intelligence and tolerance and herein lies the chief hope for a better world in the future."

Burns was born in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, in 1897. He was one of four children born to James McNall and Lucy Idelta (Gilliland) Burns. His ancestors, who were Scotch-Irish descent, resided in the vicinity of Burgettstown since the colonial days. They were predominantly preachers and -- like Burns' father -- farmers.

Growing up on the farm, Burns often avoided his chores to read history books. He graduated from Burgettstown High School in 1915. While in high school, Burns participated in debate, public speaking and football.

He became so determined to continue his college studies that he taught at a rural school for two years to earn tuition. Burns then entered Washington and Jefferson College for a year. He also served as a sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers during 1918 and later enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. Burns received his master's degree from Pitt in 1927.

While at the University of Pittsburgh, two of Burns' professors - Dr. Alfred P. James and Dr. Elmer D. Groper - influenced him to become a college professor. He then pursued postgraduate courses at the University of Chicago from 1926 to 1929; Columbia University in 1929 and 1930; and Princeton University in 1933 and 1934. Burns received his doctoral degree from Rutgers University in 1935.

His dissertation was titled, "The Political Philosophy of James Madison." The subject had been neglected by other people for many years. That's because there was an enormous amount of material, which had to be integrated and studied. Burns spent several weeks in the Library of Congress reading approximately 90 volumes of Madison's manuscripts.

In 1938, the Rutgers University Press published Burns' James Madison: Philosopher of the Constitution, a revision of his dissertation. He states in the book that "Madison was a true aristocrat, who regarded governing as the most honorable of professions. It's a profession that requires the most thorough knowledge of political science and the deepest instinct of political morality." Burns also noted in his book and truly believed it was Madison's ideals, more than those of any other man, that determined the original character of the Federal Constitution.

Burns married Marie Katherine Bentz in 1936. Bentz was a former school teacher in Flemington, New Jersey. She met Burns as a student in a summer session course, which he instructed. They had one daughter, Eleanor Witherspoon Burns.

In 1941, Burns became an associate professor of history at Rutgers University. In 1947, he became a professor of history. In 1950, Burns was named chairman of the history and political science department. In 1951, he was selected to head the political science department when it became an independent department.

Burns was named the best teacher"on campus by Rutgers students in 1942. On several other occasions, he was chosen as the "most scholarly" faculty member. Professor Burns also taught at the Free University in Berlin and the University of California.

His other published writings included David Starr Jordan: Prophet of Freedom (1953), World Civilizations (1955) and Ideas in Conflict (1960). Throughout his career as an author, Burns contributed to many professional journals. In 1964, he co-authored a book with Phillip L. Ralph, The Counter Reformation.

Professor Burns once said, "I believe with H.G. Wells that civilization is a race between education and disaster. No influence can surpass that of education in endowing man with the capacity to solve his numerous and distressing problems. But education to be effective must be grounded upon a careful and rigorous use of the scientific method.

"Indoctrination is not education, neither is the spinning of plausible theories which do not have a firm foundation in factual knowledge."

— reported by Gregg Fox, 1998