William Burr

William Burr is a Senior Analyst at George Washington University’s National Security Archive, focusing on US diplomatic history, nuclear history, and nonproliferation. He earned his Ph.D. in U.S. history from Northern Illinois University and has directed the Archive's nuclear security documentation project since 1990. He also launched the award-winning The Nuclear Vault and edited critical document collections on the Berlin Crisis and nuclear weapons.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in U.S. History, Northern Illinois University
• Research Interests:
  • US diplomatic history
  • nuclear history
  • nonproliferation
  • Berlin Crisis
  • Henry Kissinger
• Publications & Media Engagement:
  • Authored and co-authored books like The Kissinger Transcripts (1999) and Nixon's Nuclear Specter (2015), both critically acclaimed.
  • Contributed to journals such as Diplomatic History and International Security, and to media outlets like The Washington Post and Foreign Policy.
• Scientific Awards:
  • The Kissinger Transcripts selected by The Boston Globe as a best non-fiction book of the year (1999).
  • Senior Research Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (2011).
• Advisory & Leadership:
  • Directed the Archive's nuclear security documentation project and served as Freedom of Information Coordinator.
  • Mentored emerging nuclear researchers through the Nuclear Proliferation International History Project.
  • Editorial board member of Diplomatic History (1996–1998) and advisory board member of the Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues (2005–).
• Labs & Teams:
  • Leads the National Security Archive's nuclear security documentation project and Berlin Crisis research initiatives.
  • Collaborated with the Cold War International History Project and the Alsos Digital Library.