David J. Weber
Encyclopedia
David Joseph Weber was an American historian whose research focused on the history of the Southwestern U.S.
and its transition from Spanish
and Mexican
control to becoming part of the United States, a field of study that had largely been ignored, as “United States historians saw the field as part of Latin American history and ignored it", while "Latin American historians regarded it as belonging to the history of the United States, and likewise gave it short shrift."
Weber was born on December 20, 1940, in Buffalo, New York
. He was raised in Cheektowaga, New York
and attended the State University of New York at Fredonia
. Though he had initially planned to major in music, a course in the History of Latin America
led him to change his mind, and he graduated in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in social sciences. He majored in Latin American history at the University of New Mexico
, earning a master's degree in 1964 and a doctorate in 1967 with the dissertation The Taos Trappers: The Fur Trade in the Far Southwest, 1540-1846.
Weber joined the faculty of San Diego State University
in 1967 and taught at the Universidad de Costa Rica in 1970, lecturing in Spanish, as part of the Fulbright Program
. He was hired in 1976 by Southern Methodist University
, where he established the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies. Among the more than 20 books he authored on the subject, his 1982 book The Mexican Frontier, 1821-1846: The American Southwest Under Mexico (which won him the Ray Allen Billington Prize
from the Organization of American Historians
) and in his 1992 book The Spanish Frontier in North America, Weber filled in many of the missing details about the Spanish conquest and its effects on Native Americans
, and explored the growth of the Anglo population in areas that would later become parts of the United States. William J. Cronon of the University of Wisconsin, Madison called him "probably the single most important scholar of Spanish borderland history in North America in the second half of the 20th century", saying that "There is no one to compare with him in terms of original scholarship or sweeping synthesis." Benjamin Johnson of SMU said that "he was at least a generation ahead of his time in recognizing how entwined Mexico and the United States were and are".
He was recognized by the Spanish government with the Real Orden de Isabel la Católica (Order of Isabella the Catholic) and by the Mexican government with the Order of the Aztec Eagle
in 2005, the highest honor that each nation awards to foreigners. He was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 2007 and was a member of the Academia Mexicana de la Historia
and was president of the Western History Association
in 1990 and 1991.
Weber continued to teach and advise students even while he was undergoing chemotherapy, teaching classes through the spring 2010 semester.
A resident of Dallas and Ramah, New Mexico
, Weber died due to complications of multiple myeloma
at age 69 on August 20, 2010, in Gallup, New Mexico
. He was survived by his wife, the former Carol S. Bryant, as well as by a daughter, a son and three grandchildren.
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
and its transition from Spanish
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...
and Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
control to becoming part of the United States, a field of study that had largely been ignored, as “United States historians saw the field as part of Latin American history and ignored it", while "Latin American historians regarded it as belonging to the history of the United States, and likewise gave it short shrift."
Weber was born on December 20, 1940, in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. He was raised in Cheektowaga, New York
Cheektowaga (town), New York
Cheektowaga is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 94,019. The name comes from the Iroquoian word Ji-ik-do-wa-gah, meaning the place of the crab apple tree...
and attended the State University of New York at Fredonia
State University of New York at Fredonia
The State University of New York at Fredonia is a four-year liberal arts college located in Fredonia, New York, United States; it is a constituent college of the State University of New York...
. Though he had initially planned to major in music, a course in the History of Latin America
History of Latin America
Latin America refers to countries in the Americas where Romance languages are spoken. This definition, however, is not meant to include Canada, in spite of its large French-speaking population....
led him to change his mind, and he graduated in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in social sciences. He majored in Latin American history at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, earning a master's degree in 1964 and a doctorate in 1967 with the dissertation The Taos Trappers: The Fur Trade in the Far Southwest, 1540-1846.
Weber joined the faculty of San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
in 1967 and taught at the Universidad de Costa Rica in 1970, lecturing in Spanish, as part of the Fulbright Program
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
. He was hired in 1976 by Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, where he established the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies. Among the more than 20 books he authored on the subject, his 1982 book The Mexican Frontier, 1821-1846: The American Southwest Under Mexico (which won him the Ray Allen Billington Prize
Ray Allen Billington Prize
The Ray Allen Billington Prize is given biennially by the Organization of American Historians for the best book about American frontier history. The “American frontier” includes all of North and South America. It includes all pioneer experiences from 1492 forward. It also includes comparisons...
from the Organization of American Historians
Organization of American Historians
The Organization of American Historians , formerly known as the Mississippi Valley Historical Association, is the largest professional society dedicated to the teaching and study of American history. OAH's members in the U.S...
) and in his 1992 book The Spanish Frontier in North America, Weber filled in many of the missing details about the Spanish conquest and its effects on Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, and explored the growth of the Anglo population in areas that would later become parts of the United States. William J. Cronon of the University of Wisconsin, Madison called him "probably the single most important scholar of Spanish borderland history in North America in the second half of the 20th century", saying that "There is no one to compare with him in terms of original scholarship or sweeping synthesis." Benjamin Johnson of SMU said that "he was at least a generation ahead of his time in recognizing how entwined Mexico and the United States were and are".
He was recognized by the Spanish government with the Real Orden de Isabel la Católica (Order of Isabella the Catholic) and by the Mexican government with the Order of the Aztec Eagle
Order of the Aztec Eagle
The Order of the Aztec Eagle is a Mexican order and is the highest decoration awarded to foreigners in the country.It was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez as a reward to services given to Mexico or humankind by foreigners...
in 2005, the highest honor that each nation awards to foreigners. He was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 2007 and was a member of the Academia Mexicana de la Historia
Academia Mexicana de la Historia
The Academia Mexicana de la Historia is a national academy in Mexico, whose purpose is to promote and propagate historical studies within Mexico, conduct research into all aspects of the history of Mexico, and to contribute towards the preservation of the national cultural heritage...
and was president of the Western History Association
Western History Association
The Western History Association was organized in 1961 at Santa Fe, New Mexico, to "promote the study of the North American West in its varied aspects and broadest sense." Included in the field of study are the American West and western Canada. The Western History Association is headquartered at...
in 1990 and 1991.
Weber continued to teach and advise students even while he was undergoing chemotherapy, teaching classes through the spring 2010 semester.
A resident of Dallas and Ramah, New Mexico
Ramah, New Mexico
Ramah is a census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 407 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ramah is located at...
, Weber died due to complications of multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma , also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for the production of antibodies...
at age 69 on August 20, 2010, in Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup, New Mexico
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 20,209 people, 6,810 households, and 4,869 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,513.7 people per square mile...
. He was survived by his wife, the former Carol S. Bryant, as well as by a daughter, a son and three grandchildren.