About Walter Millis
Lived 1899 – 1968 (aged 69). Walter Millis was an American historian, journalist and writer.
Walter Millis (March 16, 1899 – March 17, 1968) was an editorial and staff writer for the New York Herald Tribune from 1924 to 1954. Millis was a staff member of the Fund for the Republic from 1954 to 1968. He later became the director of the Fund for the Republic's study of demilitarization in 1954.
Millis, widely recognized for his military histories, and as a leader of the "new military history," which integrated social and intellectual history themes into combat stories. He wrote eight books including: Road to War: America 1914–1917, This is Pearl! The United States and Japan—1941, Why Europe Fights, Viewed Without Alarm: Europe Today, Arms and Men: A Study of American Military History, The Martial Spirit: A Study of Our War with Spain, and An End to Arms. He also edited The Forrestal Diaries.
Early life Millis was born in Atlanta, GA, the son of John Millis, a regular army officer, and Mrs. Mary Raoul Millis. He graduated from Yale College, although his studies were interrupted by World War I, when he joined the Army and became a second lieutenant in the field artillery. He received his A.B. degree from Yale in 1920.
Family His first marriage, to the former Norah Thompson, ended in divorce. They had two children, Walter Millis Jr. and Sarah (Millis) McCoy. His second marriage, to fashion journalist Eugenia Sheppard in 1944, ended with his death. He was survived by six grandchildren.
Works His book Road to War had been tagged as "the isolationists' bible". The Martial Spirit - A Study of our War with Spain (1931)
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Important facts
People in Walter Millis's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Walter Millis?
American historian (1899-1968)
When was Walter Millis born?
Walter Millis was born on 16 March 1899 in Atlanta.
When did Walter Millis die?
Walter Millis died on 17 March 1968 in St. Luke's Hospital.
What was Walter Millis's occupation?
Walter Millis was a historian, journalist and writer.
What nationality was Walter Millis?
Walter Millis was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Walter Millis. https://biography.guide/walter-millis/
MLA: "Walter Millis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/walter-millis/.
Chicago: "Walter Millis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/walter-millis/.
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