Author, Historian. Best selling author of over 30 books, Historian and History Teacher. Most remembered for his books on World War II, however he wrote on a variety of subjects in American History. He came to national prominence as the historical consultant for Steven Spielberg's movie "Saving Private Ryan" and for when his book "Band of Brothers" became a HBO mini-series. His father was a doctor and he initially studied pre-med at the University of Wisconsin. In his freshman year, he took a course in American History taught by professor William Hesseltine. So great was Hesseltine's influence, that Stephen Ambrose immediately changed his major to History, and graduated in 1957. He credited Hesseltine with developing his research and writing styles. At Louisiana State University, where he earned his master's degree in 1958, he credited professor Harry Williams with further development of his writing style. From 1960 to 1995, he taught history at such colleges as the University of New Orleans, Rutgers, Kansas State, UC Berkeley, and the Naval War College. He believed that teaching history is what developed his ability to discover what was interesting to people. Although he never served in uniform, he developed an abiding respect for the men who fought the wars and researched many of them, concentrating on the men and not the generals or their tactics. He wrote for the average person, not for the student of tactics. A long time smoker, he died of lung cancer. Dr. Ambrose was a Boyd Professor of History, the Director Emeritus of the Eisenhower Center, and the founder of the National D-Day Museum.
Author, Historian. Best selling author of over 30 books, Historian and History Teacher. Most remembered for his books on World War II, however he wrote on a variety of subjects in American History. He came to national prominence as the historical consultant for Steven Spielberg's movie "Saving Private Ryan" and for when his book "Band of Brothers" became a HBO mini-series. His father was a doctor and he initially studied pre-med at the University of Wisconsin. In his freshman year, he took a course in American History taught by professor William Hesseltine. So great was Hesseltine's influence, that Stephen Ambrose immediately changed his major to History, and graduated in 1957. He credited Hesseltine with developing his research and writing styles. At Louisiana State University, where he earned his master's degree in 1958, he credited professor Harry Williams with further development of his writing style. From 1960 to 1995, he taught history at such colleges as the University of New Orleans, Rutgers, Kansas State, UC Berkeley, and the Naval War College. He believed that teaching history is what developed his ability to discover what was interesting to people. Although he never served in uniform, he developed an abiding respect for the men who fought the wars and researched many of them, concentrating on the men and not the generals or their tactics. He wrote for the average person, not for the student of tactics. A long time smoker, he died of lung cancer. Dr. Ambrose was a Boyd Professor of History, the Director Emeritus of the Eisenhower Center, and the founder of the National D-Day Museum.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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