Frank Safford

Frank Safford was a distinguished historian and Professor at Northwestern University's Department of History, affiliated with the Weinberg College of Arts and Science. He played a pivotal role in building the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program, embodying unwavering loyalty to the institution. Born in El Paso, Texas (1935), he earned a B.A. in U.S. History and Literature from Harvard University (magna cum laude, 1957) and pursued advanced studies at Columbia University, where he completed his M.A. and Ph.D. His research focused on 19th-century Colombian and broader Latin American history, producing seminal scholarship. Frank passed away in June 2022, leaving a legacy celebrated through the Frank Safford Symposium and institutional collaborations.

• Education: Harvard University (B.A., 1957); Columbia University (M.A./Ph.D.)

His academic contributions centered on Latin American historiography, particularly Colombia, blending rigorous analysis with interdisciplinary insights. Colleagues and institutions honored his memory through symposia and programs sponsored by departments including History, Andean Cultures and Histories, and the Chabraja Center for Historical Studies.