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Marshall Hodgson
Marshall Goodwin Simms Hodgson (April 11, 1922 – June 10, 1968) was an American historian and scholar of Islamic studies best known for his pioneering work on Islamic civilization and his contributions to world history. He was a professor at the University of Chicago, where he developed a yearlong course on Islamic civilizations and served as chairman of the interdisciplinary Committee on Social Thought. His influential three-volume work, The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization, published posthumously, introduced new frameworks for understanding Islam's global and cultural dimensions. Hodgson's work continues to be foundational in Islamic studies and has influenced approaches to world history, especially through his critique of Eurocentrism and his concept of the "Islamicate." Early life and educationMarshall Hodgson was born in Richmond, Indiana, on April 11, 1922. Raised as a practicing Quaker, he adhered to a strictly vegetarian lifestyle, reflecting his commitment to Quaker values. During World War II, he served in the Civilian Public Service as a conscientious objector from 1943 to 1946. He earned his Ph.D in 1951 from the University of Chicago, where he would later build a distinguished academic career.[1] Academic careerHodgson joined the faculty at the University of Chicago, where he rose through the ranks to become a professor and received tenure in 1961. In 1964, he was appointed chairman of both the Committee on Social Thought and the newly established Committee on Near Eastern Studies. His course on Islamic civilizations, established in 1957, expanded beyond traditional Orientalist perspectives by covering the contributions of Persianate and Turkic dynasties, as well as broader Islamic culture.[1] Throughout his career, he collaborated with historians such as Gustave von Grunebaum, Muhsin Mehdi, William McNeill, and John U. Nef. Hodgson was married and had three daughters. He died in 1968 while jogging on the University of Chicago campus.[2] Scholarly contributionsThe Venture of IslamAlthough Hodgson published sparingly during his life, his three-volume work, The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization, has become one of the most influential texts in the field. Published posthumously by the University of Chicago Press with contributions from Reuben Smith and colleagues, The Venture of Islam redefined academic approaches to Islamic studies.[1][3] Hodgson used "Islamicate" to refer to cultural aspects rooted in an Arabic and Persian literary tradition yet encompassing a broader social and cultural complex within the Muslim world, even when found among non-Muslims.[4] In this work, Hodgson used "Islamicate" to describe cultural aspects rooted in an Arabic and Persian literary tradition yet encompassing a broader social and cultural complex within the Muslim world, even when found among non-Muslims. For example, he classified wine poetry as "Islamicate" rather than strictly "Islamic."[5] The terminology has been both influential and debated within the academic community.[6] Rethinking World HistoryHodgson’s contributions to world history, particularly his critiques of Eurocentrism and Orientalism, were rediscovered and later published under the title Rethinking World History: Essays on Europe, Islam, and World History, edited by Edmund Burke III. In this work, he argued that the “Rise of Europe” was not unique but rather the outcome of long-term developments across Eurasian civilizations. He proposed that other regions, like 12th-century China, were on the brink of an industrial revolution that was interrupted by events like the Mongol invasions. He wrote:
Intellectual influencesThe two most significant influences on Hodgson’s thought were the French orientalist and priest Louis Massignon, who instilled in him empathy and respect for Islam, and the 18th-century American Quaker John Woolman, whose views on Eurocentrism and ethics mirrored Hodgson’s Quaker ideals.[8] Legacy and impactInfluence on Islamic and world historyHodgson’s work, particularly The Venture of Islam, has had a substantial impact on the fields of Islamic studies and world history, influencing generations of scholars and continuing to be viewed as foundational. His work largely avoided later ideological debates within Middle Eastern studies, allowing it to be assessed on its scholarly merits. The New York Times characterized Hodgson’s approach to Islamic studies as focused on understanding Islam’s broad historical contributions within a global context.[1] The concept of the "Islamicate"Hodgson’s concept of the "Islamicate" was one of his most distinctive contributions, developed to describe cultural elements influenced by Islamic civilization but not confined to religious practices. Historian Bruce B. Lawrence has described Hodgson as a scholar with a "moral vision of world history" and highlighted how the concept of the "Islamicate" challenged conventional Eurocentric frameworks, reframing Islamic civilization as a key component within wider, interconnected world history.[9] Lawrence argues that Hodgson's approach reoriented the focus on the West as the central axis of global civilization, instead presenting Islamicate civilization as influential in shaping modernity.[9] Critical perspectivesHistorian Richard Maxwell Eaton observed that while Hodgson aimed to decentralize Islamic studies, his “cores” and “peripheries” model introduced inconsistencies. By emphasizing certain regions as the core of Islamic civilization, Hodgson’s framework inadvertently reasserts traditional geographic hierarchies. Eaton suggests that this approach may create an inconsistency within Hodgson’s otherwise inclusive framework, which intended to highlight Islam's role as a dynamic, cross-regional civilization.[10] Eaton also critiqued Hodgson’s treatment of modernity, particularly his emphasis on Europe as the birthplace of the “Great Western Transmutation.” By attributing modernity solely to Europe, Eaton contends that Hodgson may have inadvertently reinforced Eurocentric views, potentially establishing a dichotomy between Islam and Europe that Hodgson originally sought to counter.[10] Hodgson’s terms "Islamdom" and "Islamicate," coined to distinguish between religious and cultural elements of Islamic civilization, have received mixed responses. While some scholars consider these constructs innovative, Eaton argues that such terms might territorialize Islamic civilization, imposing rigid boundaries that overlook the fluid interactions within Islamic societies. According to a critical appraisal of Hodgson's perspective, these terms attempt to capture Islam’s cultural reach but may fall short of conveying the diversity within Muslim societies, presenting challenges in defining complex civilizational identities.[11] In a broader context, Edward Said questioned Hodgson’s place within the Orientalist tradition, arguing that even frameworks intended to be objective can unintentionally project external views onto non-Western societies. Said’s critique underscores the tension in Western scholarship between striving for neutrality and reinforcing external interpretations of Islamic civilization. Despite these critiques, Hodgson’s work remains foundational in Islamic studies. His concepts continue to stimulate scholarly discussions, leading others to refine and build upon his ideas to enhance understanding of Islamic civilization within a global context.[1][10] Educational influence and challengesHodgson’s approach to Islamic history, while celebrated for its depth, presents challenges in undergraduate education. According to Lawrence, The Venture of Islam can be difficult for students due to its complex language and original terminology. Despite this, Lawrence sees Hodgson’s work as an essential tool for moving beyond binary views of Islam and the West, underscoring the significance of his terms like "Islamdom" and "Islamicate" for advancing a nuanced understanding of Islamic civilization.[9] Recognition and archival legacyPosthumously, Hodgson was awarded the Ralph Waldo Emerson Award by the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Scholars like Edmund Burke III continue to engage with Hodgson’s ideas, contributing to the ongoing development of his intellectual legacy. A collection of Hodgson’s papers is preserved at the University of Chicago Library’s Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center. Spanning from 1940 to 1971, this archive includes correspondence, teaching materials, research notes, and writings that reflect his contributions to Islamic and world history.[12] See alsoReferences
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