Robert H. Hewsen (born Robert H. Hewsenian; May 20, 1934 – November 17, 2018) was an Armenian-American historian and professor of history at Rowan University. He was an expert on the ancient history of the South Caucasus. Hewsen is the author of Armenia: A Historical Atlas (2001), a major reference book, acclaimed as an important achievement in Armenian studies.
Robert H. Hewsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 20, 1934 New York City, US |
| Died | November 17, 2018 Fresno, CA |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University |
| Known for | Armenia: A Historical Atlas (2001) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | History of Armenia and the Caucasus |
| Institutions | Rowan University |
| Doctoral advisor | Cyril Toumanoff |
Biography
Hewsen was born Robert H. Hewsenian in New York City in 1934 to Armenian American parents. His father came to the U.S. from Smyrna (now Izmir).
He spent seven years in Europe with the US Air Force and studying. He received his B.A. in history from the University of Maryland and his Ph.D. from Georgetown University in 1967. The same year he joined the history department of Rowan University, where he taught Byzantine and Russian history for more than 30 years. After retiring from Rowan University in July 1999, Professor Hewsen lectured at University of Chicago, Columbia University, California State University, Fresno and University of California, Los Angeles.
Professor Hewsen was also the co-founder and president of the Society for the Study of Caucasia.
Works
Hewsen wrote many books and articles on the history of the Caucasus, especially Armenia. His seminal contribution to the field is Armenia: A Historical Atlas (2001). The book received wide critical acclaim. In his review Michael E. Stone wrote: "Robert Hewsen has prepared an opus magnum that has no rival in Armenian studies. This pioneering and largely definitive work is the best atlas of Armenia ever prepared." Merrill D. Peterson wrote that it "may by itself be considered a monument of American scholarship." Charles King wrote that the book is an "outstanding achievement not only as a geographical reference but also as a guide to the demographic and political history of the entire Caucasus." Adam T. Smith wrote of the Atlas as "an important milestone in the development of Armenian studies." Anthony Kaldellis stated that "For the historical geography of Armenia, the maps in Hewsen, Armenia, are invaluable."
- Books
- Armenia: A Historical Atlas. University of Chicago Press. 2001. ISBN 978-0-226-33228-4.
- Ethno-history and the Armenian influence upon the Caucasian Albanians. Classical Armenian culture: Influence and creativity. Philadelphia: Scholars Press. 1982.
- The Geography of Ananias of Širak (Ašxarhacʻoycʻ): The Long and the Short Recensions. Wiesbaden: Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag. 1992. ISBN 3-88226-485-3.
- Book chapters
- Samuelian, Thomas J.; Stone, Michael E., eds. (1984). "The Kingdom of Arc'ax". Medieval Armenian Culture. University of Pennsylvania Armenian Texts and Studies. Chico, California: Scholars Press.
- Articles
- Hewsen, Robert H. (Spring 1968). "Science in Seventh-Century Armenia: Ananias of Širak". Isis. 59 (1): 32–45. doi:10.1086/350333. S2CID 145014073.
- "The Autumn Glossary". Armenian Review. 13 (3): 90–93. Autumn 1960.
- "The Legend of Akhtamar (A Ballad)". Armenian Review. 12 (2): 64–66. Summer 1959.
- Anatolia and Historical Concepts // The California Institute for Ancient Studies, a Velikovskian site
- North Central Armenia, I: The Principality of Tayk. (Article, perhaps unpublished)