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Merrill D. Peterson was born in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, Merrill D. Peterson was born in Manhattan, Kansas, not Charlottesville, Virginia. His academic career, however, was primarily associated with the University of Virginia.
Merrill D. Peterson earned his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Peterson attended Kansas State University for two years, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas.
Merrill D. Peterson's father was a history professor.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson's father was a Baptist minister. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother subsequently ran a boarding house.
Merrill D. Peterson served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Russia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peterson's Peace Corps service was in Armenia, not Russia. This experience significantly influenced his later research on the Armenian Genocide.
Merrill D. Peterson's full birth name was Merrill Daniel Peterson.
Answer: True
Explanation: The full birth name of the historian was indeed Merrill Daniel Peterson.
Merrill D. Peterson earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson completed his doctoral studies, earning his Ph.D. in the history of American civilization, at Harvard University.
After her divorce, Merrill D. Peterson's mother worked as a librarian.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following her divorce, Merrill D. Peterson's mother took on the role of running a boarding house, rather than working as a librarian.
Where was Merrill D. Peterson born, and where did he pass away?
Answer: Born in Manhattan, Kansas; died in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Explanation: Merrill Daniel Peterson was born in Manhattan, Kansas, and concluded his life in Charlottesville, Virginia, marking the geographical scope of his life's journey.
What degree did Merrill D. Peterson earn from Harvard University?
Answer: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in the history of American civilization from Harvard University.
What was Merrill D. Peterson's father's profession?
Answer: Baptist Minister
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson's father was ordained as a Baptist minister.
Merrill D. Peterson's academic career was primarily associated with the University of Virginia.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, Merrill D. Peterson's professional life as a historian was predominantly centered at the University of Virginia, where he held significant professorial roles.
Before joining the University of Virginia, Peterson taught at Princeton University.
Answer: True
Explanation: Prior to his long tenure at the University of Virginia, Merrill D. Peterson held teaching positions at both Brandeis University and Princeton University.
Merrill D. Peterson succeeded Allan Nevins in his role at the University of Virginia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson succeeded the eminent Jefferson scholar Dumas Malone at the University of Virginia, not Allan Nevins.
Peterson held the title of Commonwealth Professor of History at the University of Virginia.
Answer: False
Explanation: While a distinguished professor at the University of Virginia, Peterson held the title of Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor of History, not Commonwealth Professor.
Peterson succeeding Dumas Malone signified a continuation of Jeffersonian scholarship at the University of Virginia.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, Peterson's succession of Malone at the University of Virginia marked a significant continuation of the institution's esteemed tradition of Jeffersonian scholarship.
Which university served as Merrill D. Peterson's main academic home for most of his career?
Answer: University of Virginia
Explanation: The University of Virginia was the primary institution where Merrill D. Peterson pursued his distinguished academic career for the majority of his professional life.
Whom did Peterson succeed at the University of Virginia, continuing a legacy of Jefferson scholarship?
Answer: Dumas Malone
Explanation: At the University of Virginia, Peterson succeeded the esteemed Jefferson biographer Dumas Malone, thereby continuing a significant tradition of scholarship focused on Thomas Jefferson.
What distinguished professorial title did Peterson eventually hold at the University of Virginia?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor of History
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson attained the distinguished title of Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor of History during his tenure at the University of Virginia.
Which of the following was NOT a teaching position held by Merrill D. Peterson before joining the University of Virginia?
Answer: University of Kansas
Explanation: While Peterson earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas, his prior teaching appointments before the University of Virginia were at Harvard University, Brandeis University, and Princeton University.
Peterson's first book, *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*, was based on his doctoral dissertation.
Answer: True
Explanation: This is accurate. Merrill D. Peterson adapted his doctoral dissertation into his influential first book, *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*.
*The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* pioneered the study of how historical figures are remembered.
Answer: True
Explanation: This work is indeed recognized for its pioneering approach, establishing the 'history of American memory' as a significant field of historical inquiry.
Peterson's book *Lincoln in American Memory* explored how Lincoln's image evolved similarly to his earlier work on Jefferson.
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, *Lincoln in American Memory* applied the same thematic focus on the evolution of public perception and legacy that characterized his earlier study of Thomas Jefferson.
The book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* was originally Peterson's master's thesis.
Answer: False
Explanation: The book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* was adapted from Merrill D. Peterson's doctoral dissertation, not his master's thesis.
The 'history of American memory' studies how historical figures are interpreted by later generations.
Answer: True
Explanation: This accurately defines the field; the 'history of American memory' focuses on the evolving interpretations and remembrance of historical figures and events over time.
Peterson's book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* focused on Jefferson's political actions during his presidency.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rather than focusing solely on his presidential actions, *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* examined how Jefferson's overall legacy and public perception evolved throughout American history.
What was Merrill D. Peterson's primary field of historical scholarship?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson and the analysis of historical figures in American memory.
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson's principal domain of historical scholarship encompassed the study of Thomas Jefferson and, more broadly, the analysis of how historical figures are perceived and remembered within the framework of American memory.
What was the central theme of Peterson's first book, *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*?
Answer: How Thomas Jefferson was perceived and interpreted throughout American history.
Explanation: The central theme of *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* was to explore the evolving perceptions and interpretations of Thomas Jefferson across the span of American history, examining how his legacy was constructed and understood.
What approach did Peterson pioneer with his book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*?
Answer: Exploring the history of American memory and the evolution of a figure's legacy.
Explanation: With *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*, Peterson pioneered the exploration of the 'history of American memory,' examining how historical figures' legacies are constructed and evolve over time.
How did Peterson's book *Lincoln in American Memory* build upon his earlier work?
Answer: It applied a similar thematic approach (study of memory) to Abraham Lincoln as he had to Jefferson.
Explanation: *Lincoln in American Memory* extended Peterson's methodological innovation by applying the study of historical memory and evolving public perception to Abraham Lincoln, mirroring the approach used in his earlier work on Jefferson.
What does the term 'history of American memory' refer to, as used in relation to Peterson's work?
Answer: The study of how historical figures and events are remembered and reinterpreted over time.
Explanation: In the context of Peterson's scholarship, the 'history of American memory' denotes the academic discipline focused on how historical figures and events are collectively remembered, interpreted, and recontextualized across subsequent generations.
Peterson's book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* was an adaptation of what?
Answer: His doctoral dissertation
Explanation: The influential book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind* originated as an adaptation of Merrill D. Peterson's doctoral dissertation.
Merrill D. Peterson edited the Library of America edition of Abraham Lincoln's writings.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Peterson edited significant works, his role with the Library of America involved editing the selected writings of Thomas Jefferson, not Abraham Lincoln.
Merrill D. Peterson considered his one-volume biography of Thomas Jefferson to be his most important work.
Answer: True
Explanation: Peterson himself regarded his comprehensive one-volume biography, *Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation*, as his most significant contribution to scholarship.
Peterson wrote extensively on Woodrow Wilson but never edited his writings.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Peterson wrote studies on figures like Woodrow Wilson, the provided information does not specify whether he edited Wilson's writings. However, it does mention he edited writings related to Ray Stannard Baker and anthologies of Jefferson's works.
What significant editorial project did Peterson undertake for the Library of America?
Answer: Editing the selected writings of Thomas Jefferson.
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson was entrusted with the significant editorial responsibility of compiling and preparing the selected writings of Thomas Jefferson for the prestigious Library of America series.
Which book did Peterson himself consider his most important work?
Answer: *Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation*
Explanation: Merrill D. Peterson identified his comprehensive one-volume biography, *Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation*, as his most significant scholarly achievement.
Who were the three central figures in Peterson's 1998 book, *The Great Triumvirate*?
Answer: Clay, Webster, and Calhoun
Explanation: Peterson's 1998 book, *The Great Triumvirate*, focused on the prominent 19th-century American political figures Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun.
Peterson's interest in the Armenian Genocide stemmed from his research at Harvard.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peterson's engagement with the Armenian Genocide was prompted by his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia in 1997, not by research conducted at Harvard.
Henry Morgenthau, Sr. served as the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and sent reports about the Armenian violence.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is correct. Henry Morgenthau, Sr., as the U.S. ambassador, played a crucial role in reporting the atrocities against the Armenian population to the U.S. government.
Peterson's book *"Starving Armenians"* covers the period from the early 20th century up to the 1930s concerning the American response to the Armenian Genocide.
Answer: True
Explanation: The book *"Starving Armenians"* indeed examines the American response to the Armenian Genocide, focusing on the period from 1915 through the 1930s and beyond.
Peterson's work estimates that approximately 150,000 Armenian minority members died during World War I.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peterson's research indicates a far higher mortality rate, estimating that more than 1.5 million members of the Armenian minority perished during World War I.
Merrill D. Peterson appeared on C-SPAN to discuss his research on the Armenian Genocide.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Peterson did appear on C-SPAN to discuss his books, these documented appearances were related to his works on *Lincoln in American Memory* and *John Brown: The Legend Revisited*, not specifically his research on the Armenian Genocide.
What personal experience directly led Peterson to research and edit the book *"Starving Armenians"*?
Answer: A visit to Armenia in 1997 as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Explanation: Peterson's profound engagement with the Armenian Genocide and his subsequent editing of *"Starving Armenians"* were directly inspired by his service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia in 1997.
According to Peterson's work, what was the official stance of Turkey concerning the Armenian Genocide?
Answer: Turkey denies that the events constitute genocide.
Explanation: Peterson's research indicates that the official position of Turkey has been to deny that the systematic killings and deportations of Armenians during World War I constitute genocide.
What was the estimated number of Armenian deaths during World War I mentioned in Peterson's book?
Answer: More than 1.5 million
Explanation: Peterson's research highlights the immense scale of the tragedy, estimating that more than 1.5 million members of the Armenian minority perished during World War I.
What specific role did Henry Morgenthau, Sr. play in relation to the Armenian Genocide during WWI?
Answer: He was the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire who reported the violence.
Explanation: Henry Morgenthau, Sr., serving as the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, played a critical role by documenting and reporting the systematic violence against the Armenian population during World War I.
Merrill D. Peterson's book *"Starving Armenians"* primarily examines:
Answer: The American response to the Armenian Genocide during and after WWI.
Explanation: *"Starving Armenians"* delves into the multifaceted American response to the Armenian Genocide, encompassing the period from the initial events of World War I through subsequent decades.
The Bancroft Prize for History was awarded to Merrill D. Peterson in 1961 for his work on the Armenian Genocide.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bancroft Prize for History in 1961 was awarded to Merrill D. Peterson for his book *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*, not for work on the Armenian Genocide.
The Library of Virginia awarded Peterson a Literary Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2005, the Library of Virginia did indeed bestow its Literary Lifetime Achievement Award upon Merrill D. Peterson, recognizing his significant contributions.
The presence of 'Authority control' links suggests Peterson was a minor historical figure with limited documentation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Conversely, the presence of extensive 'Authority control' links indicates that Merrill D. Peterson is a recognized figure with significant scholarly documentation within library and archival systems.
Peterson's book *Lincoln in American Memory* was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for biography.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, *Lincoln in American Memory* achieved finalist status for the Pulitzer Prize for biography, alongside receiving the University of Virginia Phi Beta Kappa Book Award.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation awarded Peterson its Gold Medal in 1960.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation recognized Peterson's contributions by awarding him its Gold Medal in 1960.
Merrill D. Peterson received the National First Freedom Award in 1997.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1997, Merrill D. Peterson was honored with the National First Freedom Award, recognizing his contributions to understanding American ideals.
Which major award did Peterson receive in 1961 for *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*?
Answer: The Bancroft Prize for History
Explanation: In 1961, Merrill D. Peterson was honored with the prestigious Bancroft Prize for History in recognition of his significant work, *The Jefferson Image in the American Mind*.
What honor did the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation bestow upon Peterson in 1960?
Answer: The Gold Medal
Explanation: In 1960, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation recognized Merrill D. Peterson's scholarly contributions by presenting him with its Gold Medal.
What does the presence of extensive 'Authority control' links suggest about Merrill D. Peterson?
Answer: He is a recognized figure with significant scholarly documentation in library systems.
Explanation: The inclusion of extensive 'Authority control' links, referencing major bibliographic databases, strongly suggests that Merrill D. Peterson is a recognized scholar whose works are well-documented within international library and archival systems.