John Boyer on Austria’s History

John Boyer is the doyen of Austrian history in the United States. His magnum opus “Austria, 1867-1955”, published in 2022, is now available in German translation. An event!

In his comprehensive account, Boyer combines the political history of the German-speaking provinces of the Habsburg Empire before 1914 with the history of the Austrian Republic that emerged in 1918. He sees modern Austria as a fascinating example of democratic nation-building.

The translation of “Austria, 1867-1955” is published by the Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften.

John Boyer will be in conversation with Helmut Wohnout, Director General of the Austrian State Archives. Boyer will speak in English, Wohnout in German.

John Boyer has taught at the University of Chicago for over 50 years, where he also served as Dean of the College for several decades. He is the author of the definitive study of Karl Lueger and the Christian Social Movement: “Political Radicalism in Late Imperial Vienna. Origins of the Christian Social Movement 1848–1897” (1981); “Culture and Political Crisis in Vienna. Christian Socialism in Power, 1897–1918” (1995); “Karl Lueger” (1844–1910). “Christlich soziale Politik als Beruf” (2010).

Helmut Wohnout has been Director General of the Austrian State Archives since 2019. Among his many publications are “Regierungsdiktatur oder Ständeparlament? Gesetzgebung im autoritären Österreich” (1993); “Das österreichische Hospiz in Jerusalem. Geschichte des Pilgerhauses an der Via Dolorosa” (2000); “Alois Mock. Ein Politiker schreibt Geschichte” (2008) and “Italien und Österreich im Mitteleuropa der Zwischenkriegszeit” (2018).

Note: Registration required. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Cost: Free
Meeting point: In the event hall, 3rd floor

Illustration: John Boyer, Photo: Susan Aurinko