Origins & Early Life

Benedict Richard O'Gorman Anderson (August 26, 1936 – December 13, 2015) was an Anglo-Irish political scientist and historian who lived and taught in the United States. Anderson is best known for his 1983 book Imagined Communities, which explored the origins of nationalism. A polyglot with an interest in Southeast Asia, he was the Aaron L. Binenkorb Professor of International Studies, Government & Asian Studies at Cornell University.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His work on the "Cornell Paper" disputed the official story of Indonesia's 30 September Movement and the subsequent anti-Communist purges of 1965–1966 which led to his expulsion from that country. He was the elder brother of historian Perry Anderson. Anderson was born on August 26, 1936, in Kunming, China, to an Irish and Anglo-Irish father and English mother. His father, James Carew O'Gorman Anderson, was an official with Chinese Maritime Customs. The family are descendants of the Anderson family of Ardbrake, Bothriphnie, Scotland, who settled in Ireland in the early 1700s.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His mother's family originated in Lancaster. Anderson's maternal grandfather Trevor Bigham was the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Alan Alda — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Esteemed American actor celebrated for M*A*S*H and decades of versatile performances.
• Albert Finney — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Esteemed English actor celebrated for his versatile stage and screen performances.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Alan Bond — Contemporary (Died in 2015) (2015): Australian businessman known for high-profile dealings, the America's Cup, and founding Bond University.
• Assia Djebar — Contemporary (Died in 2015) (2015): Pioneering Algerian feminist novelist celebrated for chronicling women's experiences.
• Andrew Mellon — Shared historical date (08-26 · Died) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek — Shared historical date (08-26 · Died) (1723): Pioneering Dutch microscopist, known as the Father of Microbiology.
• Archie Moore — Shared historical date (12-13 · Born) (1913): Legendary American boxer, known for his longevity and strategic defense.
• Ben Bernanke — Shared historical date (12-13 · Born) (1953): Renowned economist, former Fed Chair, and Nobel laureate specializing in financial crises.
• 1936 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1936
• August 26 (08-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 26
• 2015 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2015
• December 13 (12-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 13