Peter N. StearnsView profile
Academic
Peter N. Stearns is a University Professor at George Mason University and Provost Emeritus, serving from 2000 to 2014. His research focuses on modern European and American social history, the history of emotions, world history, and globalization. He has taught at Harvard, the University of Chicago, Rutgers, and Carnegie Mellon, and was educated at Harvard University with a Ph.D. in 1963. B.A. summa cum laude, Harvard University (1957) M.A., Harvard University (1959) Ph.D., Harvard University (1963) Dr. Stearns' work explores comparative social history, the evolution of emotional norms, and global historical analysis. He has authored or edited over 135 books, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and the integration of historical analysis with psychology, sociology, and cultural studies. His recent publications highlight trends in world history, including globalization's historical roots, cultural transformations, and the analysis of emotions across civilizations. Themes span industrialization, gender dynamics, mortality practices, and societal anxieties. Dr. Stearns received the prestigious Mason Medal in 2014 for his contributions to the university's global initiatives, including the Incheon branch campus and INTO collaboration. He has also mentored graduate students such as Kelley Fincher and Holly Moir, guiding research on consumerism, labor, and education. Active in teaching and research post-retirement, he continues to edit and publish extensively while maintaining a faculty schedule. His skills emphasize analytical argumentation, comparative methods, and historical writing.










