Waldemar Gurian and Russian Studies in America

Extract

It was typical of Waldemar Gurian that, rich in philosophical thought and human understanding, he in turn enriched each field of studies which he touched, not least the field of Russian studies. Just because we, his colleagues and friends, have long grown accustomed to tum to him for creative and discriminating initiative and for the benefit of his wise judgment, and because he never failed with modesty and insight to meet these constant demands, it is difficult, now that he is gone from our midst, to measure precisely the manifold and essential contributions which he made to the strengthening of this important and difficult field of investigation. Yet it has clearly grown in strength and in usefulness to a free society because of his strength of mind and spirit.