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June 10, 2003

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, (858) 534-7404

FORMER UCSD CHANCELLOR AND HISTORIAN
JOHN GALBRAITH DIES TODAY AT AGE 86

John S. Galbraith, the second chancellor of the University of California, San Diego, and an internationally acknowledged expert on the history of the19th century British Empire, died today (June 10) of complications resulting from pneumonia. He was 86.

Galbraith served as chancellor at UCSD 1964-68, a tumultuous time on campus during the Vietnam War and student protests, and as vice chancellor 1962-64. He was the champion of the architecturally spectacular Geisel Library designed by architect William Pereira, and he adamantly insisted that to be truly great a university must have an outstanding library.

Galbraith retired from the University of California in 1986 after 39 years as a history professor at UCLA, and a history professor and administrator at UCSD. His dedication to research and scholarship remained constant.

Galbraith’s commitment to achieve a great library at UCSD was so strong that the professor/scholar agreed to become chancellor in 1964 on the promise that a great library would be built on campus. During his chancellorship, plans for what is now Geisel Library were developed and approved, with Pereira’s unusual design—a concrete and glass inverted pyramid—promoted by Galbraith as one that would give the library building great visual prominence in the campus landscape and emphasize the intellectual importance of its collections.

“A great humanities faculty needs a great library in the same way that scientists need great laboratories,” Galbraith said.

UCSD Chancellor Robert C. Dynes noted that “I was very fortunate to know John and to benefit from his wise counsel. He was an extraordinary leader; he had the skills of a magician and the heart of a lion. You cannot walk more than a few yards on this campus without seeing John’s imprint. It is especially fitting that our modern undergraduate library is housed in Galbraith Hall, because undergraduate education and university libraries were two of John’s passions.”

Herbert York, UCSD’s first chancellor, noted that Galbraith had served as his vice chancellor and “we made an effective and positive team in getting UCSD on its way. He was a meticulous and widely-informed historian,” York said, “and we found mutual interests in his British Empire research.”

Michael Bernstein, history professor, said that Galbraith had served as emeritus professor during the years 1992-98 when Bernstein headed the history department and “he was remarkably supportive, a devoted teacher and a wonderful mentor.”

After four years as UCSD chancellor, confronting the challenges brought on by protests to the Vietnam War, Galbraith faced three choices in 1968: to remain as UCSD chancellor, to accept the presidency of the University of Minnesota or a Smuts Visiting Fellowship at Cambridge University in England.

The scholar won out over the administrator.

“I made my decision to go to Cambridge, knowing I was closing the door on a career in administration for all time,” Galbraith recalled at his retirement in 1986. “I have never regretted that decision.”

Galbraith returned from England to research and teaching on the faculty of the Department of History at UCLA, also serving a term as department chairman, then to UCSD as a professor of history until his retirement as professor emeritus.

An academic historian, Galbraith lectured frequently on the subject of library collections and in 1988 the University of California Board of Regents approved naming the Humanities/Undergraduate Library Building on UCSD’s Revelle Campus “John S. Galbraith Hall” in honor of the chancellor and professor emeritus and library champion.

Educator and historian, John Semple Galbraith was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1916. His family immigrated to the United States in 1925. He received a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio in 1938, a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1939
and 1943, respectively, and an LL.D. from Mt. Union College in Ohio in 1968. He served in the Air Force as an official historian from 1943 until 1946. When he was discharged he taught at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 1946-47, and then began his association with the University of California as a member of the history faculty at UCLA.

Galbraith married Laura Huddleston in 1940 and over the years the Galbraiths were active members of the Friends of the UCSD Library, making financial contributions, promoting the cause of the library and donating significant books and papers. The Galbraiths also donated an endowment to the UCSD Department of History with annual income slated for faculty research and professional activities. An active partner in Galbraith’s interests, Mrs. Galbraith was the founding president of the UCSD Medical Center Auxiliary.

Galbraith wrote a number of books including “The Establishment of Canadian Diplomatic Status in Washington,” “The Hudson’s Bay Company as an Imperial Factor,” “The Reluctant Empire” “MacKinnon and East Africa,” “Crown and Charter” and “The Little Emperor.”

He was a Guggenheim Fellow and a member of the American Historical Association, the Society of American Historians, the Canadian Historical Association, the Memorial Royal Historical Society, the African Studies Association, the American Association of University Professors and Phi Beta Kappa.

Galbraith is survived by his wife, Laura; three children, James M. Galbraith of San Marino, John H. Galbraith of Venice, Ca., and Mary P. Galbraith; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Memorial services are to be determined. Memorial funds may be sent to the UC San Diego Foundation for the John S. and Laura Galbraith Library at the University of California, San Diego.