George M. A. Hanfmann


George Maxim Anossov Hanfmann was a famous archaeologist and scholar of ancient Mediterranean art.

Biography

He studied at the University of Jena under Ernst Buschor and Hans Diepolder, and then at the University of Berlin with Werner Jaeger, where he earned his first doctorate. He emigrated to the United States, becoming naturalized in 1940. Hanfmann became a student of David Moore Robinson, earning a second Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University in 1935. During World War II he served in the Office of War Information in London as radio editor. He returned to Harvard and became a curator at the Fogg Art Museum. By 1956 he had progressed at Harvard from junior fellow to full professor. He was one of the first to be awarded the title University Professor, which is the position from which he retired shortly before his death. He established the Department of Ancient Art and trained students, including Cornelius Clarkson Vermeule III. In 1958 he began excavations at ancient Sardis and continued there until 1976. In 1978 he received the Gold Medal from the Archaeological Institute of America. He retired from Harvard in 1982 after teaching his legendary course, "Greek Art & Culture," for the last time spring semester 1981-82.

Works