NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Avery Leiserson, a distinguished Vanderbilt University political scholar who served in a variety of leadership roles, died Feb. 14 at the Woodcrest at the Blakeford in Nashville. The professor of political science, emeritus, was 90 years old and recently had been suffering from pneumonia.
Leiserson was a former president of the American Political Science Association and the Southern Political Science Association as well as chair of his department for 11 years. He helped found the Tennessee Political Science Association.
Leiserson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his doctorate at the University of Chicago. He played a major role in the growth of political science at Vanderbilt and across the nation after being recruited to Vanderbilt from the University of Chicago by Chancellor Harvie Branscomb.
Leiserson helped bring many outstanding professors to campus and was part of a group that was the first to propose a Black Studies Program in the College of Arts and Science. In 1967 he was honored with the Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Service Award. George Graham, a Vanderbilt professor of political science who worked closely with Leiserson, said that more than one dean and many professors called him "the conscience of the faculty."
"No matter whether considering his efforts in rewriting the constitution of the College of Arts and Science or any of his myriad efforts building Vanderbilt collegiality and programs, one always knew his energies would push us forward, Graham said.
Leiserson’s many publications included The American South in the 1960s, Parties and Politics and Administrative Regulation. He served as editor of the Journal of Politics and book review editor of the American Political Science Review.
Graham helped organize an "Avery Leiserson Day" Nov. 1 to honor his colleague’s many accomplishments. Leiserson attended and spoke at a "roast and toast dinner" that evening at the University Club.
"I think the recent sharing of memories we had among previous colleagues and students each captured the fact that in different ways Avery taught each of us how better to live the life of mind," Graham said.
A memorial service for Leiserson will be held 11 a.m. Feb. 21 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville at 1808 Woodmont Blvd.
Media contact: Ann Marie Owens, (615) 322-NEWS
Annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu