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Stanley Elkins Obituary

Stanley M Elkins

Stanley M. Elkins, 88, of Northampton, MA, died Monday, September 16, 2013.

Born April 27, 1925, in Boston, MA, the son of Frank and Frances (Reiner) Elkins, Stanley graduated from Boston English High School and enlisted in the US Army in 1943, where he served in the 362nd Infantry Regiment in Italy. After the war, Stanley attended Harvard University on the GI Bill and married Dorothy Adele Lamken in 1947. He graduated from Harvard in 1949 and received a MA and PhD in American History from Columbia University, where he studied with historian Richard Hofstadter. He was appointed assistant professors of history at the University of Chicago, where he taught from 1955-1960.

In 1959, Stanley's doctoral dissertation, Slavery: A Problem in American Institutional and Intellectual Life, was published by the University of Chicago Press. His book received widespread attention from scholars, politicians, and students, and is considered a seminal work on the subject of slavery in the United States. Stanley was hired by Smith College in 1960, became the Sydenham Clark Parsons Professor of History in 1969, and continued his career there until his retirement in 1993. In 1993, the Oxford University Press published The Age of Federalism: The Early American Republic, 1788-1800, which Stanley and long-time collaborator and Columbia U. professor Eric McKitrick coauthored over a 30-year period. The Age of Federalism received the Bancroft Prize in 1994 and the Society of Cincinnati Book Prize in 1995.

Predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy, Stanley is survived by their children, Susan Elkins and husband Jack Winerock of Lawrence, Kansas; Reuven Elkins and wife Yehudis of Brooklyn, New York; Barbara Elkins and husband Timothy Brown, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; and Sara Elkins of Northampton. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Smith College, Gift Accounting Unit, 33 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01063, with contributions directed to the American Studies program, or to a charitable organization of your choice.

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Sep. 20, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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In honor of my grandfather who I loved so much! So many wonderful memories and accomplishments!! I'm proud to be your granddaughter! May your Neshama have an aliya!

Rivkie Elkins/Kruman

December 8, 2019

miss you dearly:(

Lindsay Aubin

May 4, 2017

Dear Susan, Robert, and Barbara. .. I'm with my brother Joe and we just found your dad's obit online. So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a dear, sweet man. Love to you all.

Carol Walter

September 19, 2015

Dear Susan, I'm so sorry. Today is the first I've heard of your Dad's passing. I'll always know him as Cousin Buddy, although I don't think he liked that very much. He (and your Mom Dorothy) were dear, dear people and I am so saddened at the news. I know my mother loved him like a son and I do hold that close to my heart. He and Dorothy were always so kind to me and I still cherish a beautiful wedding gift they gave us when we visited them in 1986. Stan and I are living in Arizona now, but my kids are still up in the Pacific Northwest. I hope you are well. It would be lovely to hear from you. (I just noticed Bud and I shared the same birthday). Cousin Susan ([email protected])

Susan Hahn

June 3, 2014

Dear Susan,
We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Bill very much admired your father as a historian and generous human being. Much love and support to you and your whole family.
Kathryn and Bill

Kathryn Tuttle

September 21, 2013

Sara
So very sorry to hear your Dad was called home so soon. Stay strong. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this tough time~

Connie Shirazi-Anderson

September 20, 2013

Barbie, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My condolences to your family.
Liana Rigali Charter

September 19, 2013

My condolences to the family. I know my father thought highly of Prof. Elkins.

Sarah Hofstadter

September 17, 2013

My sincere condolences to the Elkins family.

Susan Adelson

September 17, 2013

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