Carlton Hayes
Encyclopedia
Carlton Joseph Huntley Hayes, Ph.D. (1882–1964) was an American
educator and European historian
, and an intellectual leader of Catholics in America. He served as American ambassador to Spain
in World War II
.
family in upstate New York, the son of Permelia Mary (née Huntley) and Philetus Arthur Hayes. Hayes graduated from Columbia
in 1904, completed his PhD there in 1909 with a thesis on the Germanic invasion of the Roman Empire. He became lecturer at Columbia in European history in 1907, assistant professor (1910), associate professor (1915), and full professor (1919).
In 1904 he converted to Catholicism—and went on to be the first Catholic co-chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews along with Everett Clinchy and Roger Strauss. He was head of the Columbia history department several times. After World War I, he joined with Peter Guilday
in establishing the American Catholic Historical Association and became its first secretary. Its goal was to promote Catholic history, and to integrate Catholic scholars into the wider world of academe.
Hayes was influenced by Charles A. Beard
, a proponent of the “New History,” which emphasized the importance of cultural economic developments as opposed to just warfare and diplomacy. Hayes argued the New History demonstrated that Original Sin was integral to human existence. His two volume Political and Cultural History of Europe, long a major textbook, is filled with examples of such thought, none more so than his discussion of the Industrial Revolution in England. Hayes also developed the historical interpretation of nationalism and was known as the Father of Nationalism, inspiring many students to research in this field.
In his presidential address to the American Historical Association, entitled "The American Frontier—Frontier of What?”, Hayes urged Americans to see their nation as the western frontier of Europe. The Founders had maintained "lively contacts with, and solid knowledge of, the European civilization on whose boundaries they were." In the nineteenth century, with massive immigration from Europe, "Americans" took a different path than Europeans, becoming a nation of diverse linguistic, religious and ethnic origins, with each group desperate to be accepted. While nationalism in Europe emerged from an appreciation for the cultural or political achievements of one’s compatriots, American nationalism encouraged fresh cultural and political developments. Hayes concluded that had produced an intense, and often artificial form of nationalism, that served to "inoculate us against Europe and built up an isolationist state of mind."
He held the Seth Low chair of history at Columbia from 1935 until his retirement in 1950. In 1945 he became the first Catholic president of the American Historical Association
, over the vocal opposition of political opponents who denounced his conservatism.
Later he became a founding member of Commonweal
, a weekly Catholic magazine run by lay people.
During World War I
he served as captain of the United States Military Intelligence Division of the General Staff
in 1918-1919.
Nine years later, under the direction of General Connor, the head of the War Department
, he was asked to serve on an advisory committee of historians to organize documents pertaining to the American participation in the fighting in France. This earned him the title of Major.
He was a contributor to the League of Nations
:The Principle and Practice.
In the 1930s he was a member of the Catholic Association for International Peace
. He became president of the American Historical Association
in 1945 and was head of the New York State Historical Association
in Cooperstown. He was also a member of the American Philosophical Society
.
He was awarded the Laetare medal
from Notre Dame
in 1946 along with the Alexander Hamilton
medal from Columbia University in 1952 and the Cardinal Gibbons medal from Catholic University
in DC in 1949.
He was also a guest lecturer and teacher at various academic institutions throughout his career and into his retirement and earned the following honorary degrees: University of Notre Dame- 1921, Marquette University
– 1929, Niagara College
– 1936, Williams College
– 1939, Fordham University
– 1946, University of Detroit – 1950, Georgetown University
– 1953, Michigan State University
– 1955, LeMoyne College - 1960.
From 1942 to 1944 he was US ambassador to Spain
. Though some criticized him for being too friendly with Francisco Franco
, it was generally held that he played a vital role in preventing Franco from siding with the Axis
during the war.
He died of a heart ailment, at Sidney Hospital, Sidney, New York
on September 2, 1964, age 82.
He was buried from the church he founded in Afton, NY, St. Agnes, and laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Afton, NY. He was survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Evelyn Carroll, originally from Oswego NY, and by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Hayes Tucker, and his son, Carroll J. Hayes.
His great-grandson is actor Jonathan Tucker
.
online
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator and European historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, and an intellectual leader of Catholics in America. He served as American ambassador to Spain
United States Ambassador to Spain
-Ambassadors:*John Jay**Appointed: September 29, 1779**Title: Minister Plenipotentiary**Presented credentials:**Terminated mission: ~May 20, 1782*William Carmichael**Appointed: April 20, 1790**Title: Chargé d'Affaires...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Life and career
Hayes was born to a BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
family in upstate New York, the son of Permelia Mary (née Huntley) and Philetus Arthur Hayes. Hayes graduated from Columbia
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1904, completed his PhD there in 1909 with a thesis on the Germanic invasion of the Roman Empire. He became lecturer at Columbia in European history in 1907, assistant professor (1910), associate professor (1915), and full professor (1919).
In 1904 he converted to Catholicism—and went on to be the first Catholic co-chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews along with Everett Clinchy and Roger Strauss. He was head of the Columbia history department several times. After World War I, he joined with Peter Guilday
Peter Guilday
Monsignor Peter Keenan Guilday US Catholic priest and historian, born in Chester, Pennsylvania of Irish parents. He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminry, Overbrook PA...
in establishing the American Catholic Historical Association and became its first secretary. Its goal was to promote Catholic history, and to integrate Catholic scholars into the wider world of academe.
Hayes was influenced by Charles A. Beard
Charles A. Beard
Charles Austin Beard was, with Frederick Jackson Turner, one of the most influential American historians of the first half of the 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs, textbooks and interpretive studies in both history and political science...
, a proponent of the “New History,” which emphasized the importance of cultural economic developments as opposed to just warfare and diplomacy. Hayes argued the New History demonstrated that Original Sin was integral to human existence. His two volume Political and Cultural History of Europe, long a major textbook, is filled with examples of such thought, none more so than his discussion of the Industrial Revolution in England. Hayes also developed the historical interpretation of nationalism and was known as the Father of Nationalism, inspiring many students to research in this field.
In his presidential address to the American Historical Association, entitled "The American Frontier—Frontier of What?”, Hayes urged Americans to see their nation as the western frontier of Europe. The Founders had maintained "lively contacts with, and solid knowledge of, the European civilization on whose boundaries they were." In the nineteenth century, with massive immigration from Europe, "Americans" took a different path than Europeans, becoming a nation of diverse linguistic, religious and ethnic origins, with each group desperate to be accepted. While nationalism in Europe emerged from an appreciation for the cultural or political achievements of one’s compatriots, American nationalism encouraged fresh cultural and political developments. Hayes concluded that had produced an intense, and often artificial form of nationalism, that served to "inoculate us against Europe and built up an isolationist state of mind."
He held the Seth Low chair of history at Columbia from 1935 until his retirement in 1950. In 1945 he became the first Catholic president of the American Historical Association
American Historical Association
The American Historical Association is the oldest and largest society of historians and professors of history in the United States. Founded in 1884, the association promotes historical studies, the teaching of history, and the preservation of and access to historical materials...
, over the vocal opposition of political opponents who denounced his conservatism.
Later he became a founding member of Commonweal
Commonweal
Commonweal is a American journal of opinion edited and managed by lay Catholics. It is headquartered in The Interchurch Center in New York City.-History:...
, a weekly Catholic magazine run by lay people.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he served as captain of the United States Military Intelligence Division of the General Staff
General Staff
A military staff, often referred to as General Staff, Army Staff, Navy Staff or Air Staff within the individual services, is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units...
in 1918-1919.
Nine years later, under the direction of General Connor, the head of the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
, he was asked to serve on an advisory committee of historians to organize documents pertaining to the American participation in the fighting in France. This earned him the title of Major.
He was a contributor to the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
:The Principle and Practice.
In the 1930s he was a member of the Catholic Association for International Peace
Catholic Association for International Peace
The Catholic Association for International Peace was founded in 1927 by John A. Ryan. It based its opposition to war on the traditional just war doctrine.-Opposition to the Vietnam War :...
. He became president of the American Historical Association
American Historical Association
The American Historical Association is the oldest and largest society of historians and professors of history in the United States. Founded in 1884, the association promotes historical studies, the teaching of history, and the preservation of and access to historical materials...
in 1945 and was head of the New York State Historical Association
New York State Historical Association
The New York State Historical Association is a private, non-governmental educational organization founded in 1899 to encourage research, educate general audiences, and start a library and museum of manuscripts, artwork, and other objects associated with the history of New York State, USThe...
in Cooperstown. He was also a member of the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
.
He was awarded the Laetare medal
Laetare Medal
The Laetare Medal is an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society...
from Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in 1946 along with the Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
medal from Columbia University in 1952 and the Cardinal Gibbons medal from Catholic University
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in DC in 1949.
He was also a guest lecturer and teacher at various academic institutions throughout his career and into his retirement and earned the following honorary degrees: University of Notre Dame- 1921, Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
– 1929, Niagara College
Niagara College
Niagara College is a College of Applied Arts and Technology within the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario. The College has four campuses: the Welland Campus in Welland, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Maid of the Mist Campus in Niagara Falls, home of the Tourism Industry...
– 1936, Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
– 1939, Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
– 1946, University of Detroit – 1950, Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
– 1953, Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
– 1955, LeMoyne College - 1960.
From 1942 to 1944 he was US ambassador to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Though some criticized him for being too friendly with Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
, it was generally held that he played a vital role in preventing Franco from siding with the Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
during the war.
He died of a heart ailment, at Sidney Hospital, Sidney, New York
Sidney, New York
Sidney in the U.S. state of New York may refer to a town in Delaware County, or the village contained in the town.*Sidney , New York*Sidney , New York...
on September 2, 1964, age 82.
He was buried from the church he founded in Afton, NY, St. Agnes, and laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Afton, NY. He was survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Evelyn Carroll, originally from Oswego NY, and by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Hayes Tucker, and his son, Carroll J. Hayes.
His great-grandson is actor Jonathan Tucker
Jonathan Tucker
Jonathan Moss Tucker is an American film and television actor, best known for his roles in the movies The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hostage, In the Valley of Elah and The Ruins, and The Black Donnellys on television....
.
Works
- Sources Relating to Germanic Invasions (1909)
- British Social Politics (1913)
- A Political and Social History of Modern Europe (1916) vol 1 online;
- Brief History of the Great War (1920)
- Essays on Nationalism (1926)
- Modern history, Macmillan, 1928
- Ancient and Medieval History, MacMillan Company, 1929
- France, A Nation of Patriots (1930)
- The Historical Evolution of Modern Nationalism (1931)
- A Political and Cultural History of Modern Europe, Macmillan, (2 vols. 1932-36 rev. ed., 1939)
- Wartime Mission in Spain (1945) a.k.a. Wartime mission in Spain, 1942-1945, by Carlton J(osef) .H(untley) Hayes, late American ambassador to Spain. New York, Macmillan, 1945. VIII - 313 pages. Spanish translation: ed. Epesa, Madrid, 1946, 397 pages.
- "The American Frontier—Frontier of What?" Presidential address delivered at the annual meeting in Washington on December 27, 1945. American Historical Review 50:2 (January 1946): 199-216. online
- The historical evolution of modern nationalism, Macmillan, 1955
- Contemporary Europe since 1870, Macmillan, 1965
About Hayes
- John Joseph Shanley, "The Story of Carlton Hayes," The University Bookman Volume 47, Number 1 (Winter 2010)
online