Background
Colton, Joel was born on August 23, 1918 in New York City. Son of Philip and Theresa (Cotler) Colton.
Colton, Joel was born on August 23, 1918 in New York City. Son of Philip and Theresa (Cotler) Colton.
Bachelor magna cum laude, City College of New York, 1937. Master of Science, City College of New York, 1938. Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1940.
Doctor of Philosophy, 1950.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in history from City College in 1939 and his Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1940. He taught at Duke University from 1947 until his retirement in 1982, except while serving as director of humanities at the Rockefeller Foundation between 1974 and 1982. His textbook, A History of the Modern World, co-authored with Railroad Palmer, is a classic.
In 2002, it was reported that "First published in 1950, it has been translated into six languages and is used in more than 1,000 colleges and universities as well as many high school advanced placement courses." By 2011, the book had been translated international 10 languages.(Slotnick"s Colton obit) Since its original publication, its reputation continued to grow.
"In 1987, The New York Times put it on its list of the 19 classic textbooks of all time, in all disciplines. the Washington Post in 1996 called it "the first book to be elevated to the textbook hall of fame"" He died of congestive heart failure.
Member advisory board Duke University Press, 1982-1988. Trustee Triangle Universities Center for Advanced Studies, North Carolina, 1982-1985. United States Army, 1942-1946, 1st lieutenant Military Intelligence, 1944-1946, European Theatre of Operations.
Fellow American Academy Arts and Sciences elected 1979, Phi Beta Kappa (visiting scholar 1983-1984), Phi Beta Kappa Society. Member American History Association (committee on international history activities 1980-1985), Southern History Association (chairman European section 1975-1976, Distinguished Service award European History section, 2005), Society French History Studies (vice president 1972-1973), Century Association, Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists association American Center.
Married Shirley Baron, May 8, 1942 (deceased December 2003). Children– Valerie Beth, Kenneth Richard.