Sociologist Williams dies in June
Robin Williams
Robin M. Williams, one of the earliest graduates of the College's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, died June 3 in California. He was 91.
A seminal figure in American sociology, Williams uncovered new ground in human conflicts and contributed insights on the American value system that continue to define modern-day society.
"His value system was replicated and reproduced by some of the most famous sociologists of the 20th century," said Dr. Ed Kick, head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. "He was a pioneer in studying the cultural values of American society."
Born to a Hillsborough, N.C., farming family in 1914, Williams earned a bachelor's degree from N.C. State in 1932. He received his master's degree from N.C. State in 1935. After earning his Ph.D. from Harvard University, Williams returned to N.C. State to teach rural sociology from 1936 to 1938.
An army researcher during World War II, Williams discovered that the primary motivation for soldiers to fight was allegiance to their buddies, not patriotism or hatred of the enemy, as otherwise thought.
"This work transformed the way U.S. military personnel were trained," said Dr. Ron Wimberley, William Neal Reynolds professor of sociology.
Williams spent the bulk of his career - 56 years - teaching at Cornell University. He published more than 150 articles, monographs and chapters in edited volumes, as well as two landmark books.
American Society: A Sociological Interpretation was the textbook in sociology in the 1950s, according to Wimberley. Williams' book Strangers Next Door explored the relationships between blacks and whites in America during the 1950s.
In the 1960s, Williams surveyed college students about their changing views. And, at age 89, he published his final book, The Wars Within: Peoples and States in Conflict.
"Williams used American society as his base, and he studied not only conflicts but also communities and how people overcome conflicts," concludes Dr. Bob Moxley, College professor of sociology, and one of Williams' former students. "He led the development of sociology across most of the 20th century."
-Suzanne Stanard
A seminal figure in American sociology, Williams uncovered new ground in human conflicts and contributed insights on the American value system that continue to define modern-day society.
"His value system was replicated and reproduced by some of the most famous sociologists of the 20th century," said Dr. Ed Kick, head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. "He was a pioneer in studying the cultural values of American society."
Born to a Hillsborough, N.C., farming family in 1914, Williams earned a bachelor's degree from N.C. State in 1932. He received his master's degree from N.C. State in 1935. After earning his Ph.D. from Harvard University, Williams returned to N.C. State to teach rural sociology from 1936 to 1938.
An army researcher during World War II, Williams discovered that the primary motivation for soldiers to fight was allegiance to their buddies, not patriotism or hatred of the enemy, as otherwise thought.
"This work transformed the way U.S. military personnel were trained," said Dr. Ron Wimberley, William Neal Reynolds professor of sociology.
Williams spent the bulk of his career - 56 years - teaching at Cornell University. He published more than 150 articles, monographs and chapters in edited volumes, as well as two landmark books.
American Society: A Sociological Interpretation was the textbook in sociology in the 1950s, according to Wimberley. Williams' book Strangers Next Door explored the relationships between blacks and whites in America during the 1950s.
In the 1960s, Williams surveyed college students about their changing views. And, at age 89, he published his final book, The Wars Within: Peoples and States in Conflict.
"Williams used American society as his base, and he studied not only conflicts but also communities and how people overcome conflicts," concludes Dr. Bob Moxley, College professor of sociology, and one of Williams' former students. "He led the development of sociology across most of the 20th century."
-Suzanne Stanard