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Robert Hess

1932 – 1994

American historian and academic administrator

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About Robert Hess

Lived 1932 – 1994 (aged 61). Robert Hess was an American historian and educator, known for Brooklyn College.

Robert Lee Hess (December 18, 1932 – January 12, 1992) was an American scholar of African history, and the sixth president of Brooklyn College.

Personal life

Hess was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to Henry and Ada (Davis) Hess. He attended Yale University, where he earned his B.A. (1954, magna cum laude), M.A. (1955), and Ph.D. (1960) degrees, studying African history.

The Robert L. Hess Scholar-in-Residence Program was established by Brooklyn College, and is supported by the Robert L. Hess Fund. Scholars in residence have included Vartan Gregorian, James S. Langer, Daniel Miller, Robin D. G. Kelley, Agnieszka Holland, Marc Shell, Sean Wilentz, Thomas Frank, and Edwidge Danticat.

Honors He received a Fulbright Fellowship (1956–1958 at the University of Rome in Italy) and a Guggenheim Fellowship (1968–69).

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Important facts

Born
18 December 1932, Asbury Park
Birth century
20th century
Died
12 January 1994, Mount Sinai Hospital
Occupation
Historian, educator
Nationality
United States
Known for
Brooklyn College
Education
Yale University, Sapienza University of Rome
Positions held
Dean, Rector
Employers
Boston University, Northwestern University
Awards
Fulbright Scholarship; Guggenheim Fellowship
Also known as
Robert Lee Hess

People in Robert Hess's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Portrait of Agnieszka Holland
Agnieszka Holland
b. 1948
Film director
 Portrait of Personal
Personal
b. 1963
Computer scientist
 Portrait of Sean Wilentz
Sean Wilentz
b. 1951
Historian
 Portrait of Vartan Gregorian
Vartan Gregorian
1934 – 2021
University teacher
 Portrait of Daniel Miller
Daniel Miller
b. 1991
Basketball player
 Portrait of Edwidge Danticat
Edwidge Danticat
b. 1969
Writer
 Portrait of Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank
b. 1965
Historian
 Portrait of Marc Shell
Marc Shell
b. 1946
Literary critic

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Hess's

Portrait of Arthur Holly Compton
Arthur Holly Compton
1892 – 1962
Physicist
 Portrait of Chao Yuen Ren
Chao Yuen Ren
1892 – 1982
Linguist
 Portrait of George Paget Thomson
George Paget Thomson
1892 – 1975
Physicist
 Portrait of Marston Morse
Marston Morse
1892 – 1977
Mathematician
 Portrait of Albert Szent-Györgyi
Albert Szent-Györgyi
1893 – 1986
Biochemist
 Portrait of Gaston Julia
Gaston Julia
1893 – 1978
Mathematician

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Hess?

American historian and academic administrator (1932-1994)

When was Robert Hess born?

Robert Hess was born on 18 December 1932 in Asbury Park.

When did Robert Hess die?

Robert Hess died on 12 January 1994 in Mount Sinai Hospital.

What was Robert Hess's occupation?

Robert Hess was a historian and educator.

What was Robert Hess known for?

Robert Hess was known for Brooklyn College.

What nationality was Robert Hess?

Robert Hess was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Hess

· Wikidata: Q64556151

· DBpedia: Robert Hess (college president)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Hess. https://biography.guide/robert-hess-historian/

MLA: "Robert Hess." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-hess-historian/.

Chicago: "Robert Hess." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-hess-historian/.

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