Background
Pfeiffer, Robert Henry was born on February 14, 1892 in Bologna, Italy. Son of George Washington and Adelia (Rodenbach) Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer, Robert Henry was born on February 14, 1892 in Bologna, Italy. Son of George Washington and Adelia (Rodenbach) Pfeiffer.
Parents United States citizens. Student Lycee, Bologna, 1908-1911, Theological School, Geneva, Switzerland, 1911-1913, 1914-1915 (Bachelor of Divinity), University of Geneva, 1914-1915 (Bachelor of Divinity), University of Berlin and Tübingen, 1913-1914. Master of Arts, Harvard, 1920, Doctor of Philosophy, 1922, School of Theology and Ministry, 1923.
Doctor of Laws, Bennett College, 1949.
Honorary Doctor of Divinity, California Western University, 1954. Doctor of Hebrew Literature (honorary), Illinois Wesleyan University, 1956.
Ordained to ministry of Methodist Church, October 8, 1916. Pastor, Sanborn, New York, 1916-1919. Instructor, Harvard, 1922-1928, lecturer, 1929-1930, assistant professor, Semitic languages and history, 1930-1936, lecturer 1936-1953.
Hancock professor of Hebrew and other oriental languages since 1953, curator of Semitic Museum since 1931.
Instructor, Boston University, 1924-1925, assistant professor, 1925-1927, associate professor, 1927-1929, professor, 1929-1930, and since 1947. Director Harvard-Baghdad School excavations, Nuzi, Iraq, 1928-1928.
Visiting professor, University of Rome (Italy), Fulbright grant, 1951. Lebanese Order of Merit, 1st class, gold medal, 1949.
Corporation member American Schools of Oriental Research.
Member American Academy Arts and Sciences, Archæol. Institute, Society Biblical Literature, American Oriental Society, National Association, Biblical Instructor, American Association University professors. Club: Harvard Faculty.
Married Matilde Valenti, March 29, 1916. Children: Paul Henry, Louise Anna.