Timothy D. Snyder is a highly-regarded historian, lecturer, and best-selling author known for his extensive research on twentieth-century European history, particularly the Holocaust and the historical origins of authoritarianism. Born on August 18, 1969, in southwestern Ohio, Snyder attended Brown University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in European history before completing his Ph.D. in modern history at the University of Oxford.
In 1996, Snyder joined the faculty at Yale University where he currently serves as the Richard C. Levin Professor of History. He has also been a research fellow at several other prestigious universities across the world, including the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. His academic accomplishments include publishing numerous articles and book chapters, winning several awards, and delivering notable lectures across the globe.
Snyder has authored many acclaimed books, including Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin (2010), a Central and Eastern European history book that won several awards, and On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017), a warning against authoritarianism based on his extensive study of twentieth-century history. His most recent book, Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary (2020), documents his efforts to grapple with a life-threatening illness amidst a rapidly changing political climate in America.
As a public intellectual, Snyder regularly appears in news outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and CNN, offering his historical insights on current global political issues. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker on topics such as the Holocaust, totalitarianism, and democracy. His expertise and contributions to the field of history have inspired and influenced many students and scholars.
In summary, Timothy D. Snyder is a distinguished historian, accomplished lecturer, and bestselling author who has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of twentieth-century European history and the historical origins of authoritarianism. His invaluable contributions to academia and the public sphere reflect his commitment to promoting democratic values and our collective humanity.