Mercer Times

Anson Rabinbach, an influential European historian and former Princeton professor, passed away on February 2 in Rome at the age of 79. His death resulted from complications following a heart attack. Rabinbach was the Philip and Beulah Rollins Professor of History, Emeritus, at Princeton University, where he joined the faculty in 1996 and transitioned to emeritus status in 2019. He also directed the Humanities Council’s Program in European Cultural Studies from 1998 to 2008.

Rabinbach's academic focus was on modern Europe's social, cultural, and intellectual history, with particular interest in Nazi Germany, Austria, fascism, labor movements, and European thought during the 19th and 20th centuries. Angela Creager of Princeton University described him as "tough-minded and pessimistic," noting his contributions to understanding totalitarianism and genocide.

He co-founded the journal New German Critique to promote critical theory's radical perspectives on culture and politics. Sean Wilentz praised Rabinbach for teaching history by example: “He taught history but also taught...how to keep on keeping on.” Philip Nord recalled Rabinbach as a serious intellectual who approached history with both rigor and warmth.

Born in New York City in 1945 to Jewish immigrant parents, Rabinbach earned his undergraduate degree from Hofstra University before completing graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His academic career included positions at Hampshire College and Cooper Union before his tenure at Princeton. Among his published works are five books focusing on topics such as Austrian socialism and Nazi Germany.

Rabinbach is remembered fondly by former students like Joshua Derman, who called him a “wonderful mentor” and Molly Loberg who appreciated how he valued diverse perspectives. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors including fellowships from prestigious institutions like Guggenheim Foundation.

Rabinbach is survived by his sons Jake and Jonah, daughters-in-law Shannon Esper and Sophia Baptista, grandchildren Otis, Bernadine, Moses, and former wife Jessica Benjamin. A memorial service will be held later this spring.