David K. Wyatt

David K. Wyatt ( born September 21, 1937 in Fitchburg (Massachusetts ), † 15 November, 2006 Ithaca ( New York)) was an American historian who focused on Southeast Asia and in particular Thailand. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the Thai Studies.

Life

Wyatt grew up in Iowa and studied at Harvard University philosophy until 1959, he received the bachelor's degree. He then studied at Boston University for the Master 's degree in 1960. Finally, he completed his PhD in 1966 from Cornell University in History.

Even before his graduation Wyatt received a teaching position at the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University, where he taught until 1968. After a year at the University of Michigan, he returned to Cornell University, where he served for a time as chairman of the Department of History. He remained at Cornell University until his retirement in 2002.

2005 Wyatt sold his 15,000 -volume research library at Southeast Asia Collection at the University of Ohio.

David K. Wyatt died on 15 November 2006 in Hospicare Residence in Ithaca, New York.

Publications

• The Politics of Reform in Thailand Education in the Reign of King Chulalongkorn. In 1969. ISBN 0300-01156-3
• Thailand: a short history. 1984 ISBN. 978-0-300-08475-7.
• Siam in Mind. 2002 ISBN. 978-974-7551-72-3.

Wyatt also translated several Thai chronicles.