The publication of The Nature of Geography in 1939 established a methodology that shaped mid-twentieth-century American geographic inquiry. This pivotal volume prioritized a historical understanding of the discipline, emphasizing the interaction between human populations and the physical environment. Its influence persisted for decades, remaining in print through its seventh edition in 2000.
Academic Formation and Early Teaching
Born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, in 1899, Richard Hartshorne pursued his undergraduate education at Princeton University, graduating in 1920. He subsequently earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1924, where his research focused on the economic geography of Chicago, specifically detailing its lake traffic. His professional tenure in higher education began at the University of Minnesota, where he taught from 1924 until 1940.
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Between 1941 and 1945, Hartshorne directed the Geography Division within the Research and Analysis branch of the Office of Strategic Services. Following this period, he joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, maintaining a position there from 1945 until his retirement in 1970. He served as the president of the Association of American Geographers in 1949 and received the organization's highest honor in 1960.
Intellectual Debates and Publications
Hartshorne’s work often focused on the philosophy of geography, drawing intellectual inspiration from the German geographer Alfred Hettner. During the 1950s, his adherence to traditional descriptive methods faced criticism from Fred K. Schaefer, who advocated for a strictly scientific approach centered on spatial laws. Hartshorne responded to these developments through various articles and books, including the 1970 collection, The Academic Citizen.
Fast facts
- Born: 1899, Kittanning
- Died: 1992, Madison
- Doctorate: University of Chicago, 1924
- President of the Association of American Geographers: 1949
- Charles P. Daly Medal: 1959
- Honorary Doctor of Clark University: 1971
- Victoria Medal: 1984
Questions readers ask
What was the core argument in The Nature of Geography?
The book argued that geographers must understand the history of their field to function effectively as scientists, while noting the relationship between human society and the physical landscape.
Where did Hartshorne spend most of his career?
He spent sixteen years at the University of Minnesota and twenty-five years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Achievements
- Victoria Medal
- Charles P. Daly Medal
- honorary doctor of the Clark University
- Recorded as geographer and university teacher
