Jack Weatherford

Last updated
Jack Weatherford
Jack Weatherford 2022.jpg
Jack Weatherford in 2022
Occupation Ethnographer, Anthropologist
NationalityAmerican
Website
www.jwf.mn

Jack McIver Weatherford is the former DeWitt Wallace Professor of anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota. [1] He is best known for his 2004 book, Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World . [2] In 2006, he was awarded the Order of the Polar Star, [3] and the Order of Genghis Khan in 2022, Mongolia’s two highest national honors. Moreover, he was honoured with the Order of the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho by the Government of Bolivia in 2014.

Contents

His books in the late 20th century on the influence of Native American cultures have been translated into numerous languages. In addition to publishing chapters and reviews in academic books and journals, Weatherford has published numerous articles in national newspapers to popularize his historic and anthropological coverage of Native American cultures, as well as the American political culture in Congress in the 20th century. In recent years, he has concentrated on the Mongols by looking at their impact since the time that Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes in 1206.

Biography

In 1946 Weatherford was born on a farm in Dovesville, South Carolina to Anna Ruth Grooms and Alfred Gregg Weatherford, as the oldest of seven children. His father fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and died from Agent Orange Disease with the rank of Sergeant. In 1964, Weatherford graduated from Dreher High School with Walker Pearce to whom he was married from 1970 until her death from multiple sclerosis in 2013. After a graduate degree from the University of South Carolina, he earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, San Diego with additional graduate work at Frankfurt University and Duke University. [4] He worked as legislative assistant to Senator John Glenn and taught for twenty-nine years at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he held the DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Chair of Anthropology.

While a graduate student at the University of South Carolina, Weatherford was an informant for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. [5] In that role he joined and gained the trust of student activists (most notably Brett Bursey). Weatherford and Bursey co-chaired AWARE, a vocal antiwar group. In March 1970 Weatherford and Bursey defaced the local draft board office and both were arrested. It was at Bursey's trial that he became aware of Weatherford's deceit. [6] Bursey went on to serve two years in prison. [7]

His books include Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World (1988), which was translated into numerous languages; Native Roots: How the Indians Enriched America (1991), and Savages and Civilization: Who Will Survive? (1994) on the contemporary clash of world cultures. Weatherford's early books on Native Americans won the Minnesota Book Award in 1989 and in 1992. He also received the 1992 Anthropology in the Media Award from the American Anthropological Association, and the 1994 Mass Media Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

He became more widely known for his book, The History of Money (1997), which was chosen as a selection of the Conservative Book of the Month Club. In addition, Weatherford's articles about the anthropology of 20th-century American politics and analysis of its clans, have led to his being invited as a commentator on radio and television programs, including The Today Show , ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings, Geraldo's Now It Can Be Told, Larry King , All Things Considered , Nightwatch, Tony Brown's Journal, and the Voice of America. In 2014 Bolivia honored him for this work on the indigenous people of the Americas with the Order of the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho, Antonio José Sucre and named him Honorary Cultural Ambassador of Bolivia’s Casa de Libertad in the Constitutional Capital Sucre, and honorary citizen of Potosí.

Since the late twentieth century, Weatherford has studied and published on the cultures and history of Mongolia. His work has been recognized by that nation's government: in 2006, he was awarded the Order of the Polar Star, Mongolia's highest national honor. In addition, Weatherford was awarded the honorary order by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the medal of the President of Mongolia in 2010. On 24 November 2022-Chinggis Khan's birthday celebration in Mongolia, the President of Mongolia awarded Chinggis Khan order to Jack Weatherford, making him the first foreign recipient of this prestigious award. [8] He now lives at Tur Hurah on the Bogd Khan Mountain in Mongolia.

Publications

Related Research Articles

<i>Pax Mongolica</i> Term for stabilizing effects of Mongol conquest

The Pax Mongolica, less often known as Pax Tatarica, is a historiographical term modeled after the original phrase Pax Romana which describes the stabilizing effects of the conquests of the Mongol Empire on the social, cultural and economic life of the inhabitants of the vast Eurasian territory that the Mongols conquered in the 13th and 14th centuries. The term is used to describe the eased communication and commerce the unified administration helped to create and the period of relative peace that followed the Mongols' vast and violent conquests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Güyük Khan</span> Third Great Khan of the Mongol Empire

Güyük Khan was the third Khagan of the Mongol Empire, the eldest son of Ögedei Khan and a grandson of Genghis Khan. He reigned from 1246 to 1248. He started his military career by participating in the conquest of Eastern Xia and then later in the invasion of Europe. When his father died, he was enthroned as Khagan in 1246. During his almost two year reign, he reversed some of his mother's unpopular edicts and ordered an empire-wide census; he also held some authority in Eastern Europe, appointing Andrey II as the grand prince of Vladimir and giving the princely title of Kiev to Alexander Nevsky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorghaghtani Beki</span> Leading stateswoman in the Mongol Empire

Sorghaghtani Beki or Bekhi, also written Sorkaktani, Sorkhokhtani, Sorkhogtani, Siyurkuktiti, posthumous name Empress Xianyi Zhuangsheng, was a Keraite princess and daughter-in-law of Genghis Khan. Married to Tolui, Genghis' youngest son, Sorghaghtani Beki became one of the most powerful and competent people in the Mongol Empire. She made policy decisions at a pivotal moment that led to the transition of the Mongol Empire towards a more cosmopolitan and sophisticated style of administration. She raised her sons to be leaders and maneuvered the family politics so that all four of her sons, Möngke Khan, Hulagu Khan, Ariq Böke, and Kublai Khan, went on to inherit the legacy of their grandfather.

<i>Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World</i> 2004 history book by Jack Weatherford

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World (2004) is a history book written by Jack Weatherford, Dewitt Wallace Professor of Anthropology at Macalester College. It is a narrative of the rise and influence of Mongol leader Genghis Khan and his successors, and their influence on European civilization. Weatherford provides a different slant on Genghis Khan than has been typical in most Western accounts, attributing positive cultural effects to his rule.

Khulan was an empress consort of Genghis Khan and head of the second Court of Genghis Khan. Her status in the Mongol Empire was second only to Grand Empress Börte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yelü Chucai</span> Khitan adviser to Genghis Khan (1190–1244)

Yelü Chucai, courtesy name Jinqing, was a Khitan statesman from the imperial clan of the Liao dynasty, who became a vigorous adviser and administrator of the early Mongol Empire in the Confucian tradition. He was the first of Genghis Khan's retainers to formulate policy during the Mongol invasions and conquests, and he also introduced many administrative reforms in North China during the reign of Genghis Khan and his successor Ögedei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burial place of Genghis Khan</span> Undetermined site and source of mystery

Scholars do not have a consensus on the exact location where Genghis Khan is buried. The location of the burial place of Genghis Khan has been the subject of much speculation and research. The site remains undiscovered, although it is generally believed that it is near the Mongol sacred mountain of Burkhan Khaldun in the Khentii Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandukhai</span> Khatun of the Mongols

Queen Mandukhai, also fully known as Wise Queen Mandukhai was a queen of the Northern Yuan. With her second husband Batmunkh Dayan Khan, she helped reunite the warring Mongols.

<i>Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World</i> 1988 nonfiction book by Jack Weatherford

Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World is a 1988 non-fiction book by American author Jack Weatherford. The book explains the many ways in which the various peoples native to North and South America contributed to the modern world's culture, manufacturing, medicine, markets, and other aspects of modern life.

Manduul, (1438–1479) was a khagan of the Northern Yuan dynasty, reigning from 1475 to 1479. He was the younger half-brother of Taisun Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genghis Khan</span> Founder of the Mongol Empire (c. 1162 – 1227)

Genghis Khan, also known as Chinggis Khan, was the founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire. After spending most of his life uniting the Mongol tribes, he launched a series of military campaigns, conquering large parts of China and Central Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tug (banner)</span> Ensign with horse tails

A tug or sulde is a pole with circularly arranged horse or yak tail hairs of varying colors arranged at the top. It was historically flown by Turkic tribes such as Tuğluğ Confederation and also during the period of the Mongol Empire, and later used in derived Turco-Mongol khanates. It was also used by the Ottoman Empire, a state which was founded by Turkic Oghuz tribes. In the 17th century, it was also adopted by Slavic cavalry, under the name bunchuk which is the reflection of the original Turkic word boncuk. It is still used by some units of the Polish military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chabi</span> Khatun of Mongols

Chabi was a Khongirad empress consort of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty of China, married to Kublai Khan.

<i>The Secret History of the Mongol Queens</i> 2010 book by Jack Weatherford

The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire is a 2010 book by Jack Weatherford, about the impact and legacy of Genghis Khan's daughters and Mongol queens such as Mandukhai the Wise and Khutulun. The book references Mongolian, Central Asian, Persian, European and Chinese sources such as Altan Tobchi, Erdeni Tobchi, Erdenyin Tunamal Sudar, Tarikh-i-Rashidi, Tarikh-i Jahangushay-i Juvaini, and Ming shi in addition to various secondary sources in English, Mongolian, and German.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religion in the Mongol Empire</span> Mongolian religious practice under the system of Genghis Khan

The Mongols were highly tolerant of most religions during the early Mongol Empire, and typically sponsored several at the same time. At the time of Genghis Khan in the 13th century, virtually every religion had found converts, from Buddhism to Eastern Christianity and Manichaeanism to Islam. To avoid strife, Genghis Khan set up an institution that ensured complete religious freedom, though he himself was a Tengrist. Under his administration, all religious leaders were exempt from taxation, and from public service. Mongol emperors were known for organizing competitions of religious debates among clerics, and these would draw large audiences.

Alakhai Bekhi was the daughter of Genghis Khan and his first wife Börte. She acted as Regent of the territories in China proper conquered by her father after he withdrew to the Mongolian Plateau in 1215.

Fatima was an influential figure in the Mongol Empire as a favourite of Töregene Khatun, regent of the empire from 1241 to 1246.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Genghis Khan</span> Mongolian state decoration

The Order of Chinggis Khaan is the highest state decoration of Mongolia.

Sochigel was either a junior wife or concubine of Yesügei, the chief of the Khamag Mongol confederation and father of Genghis Khan. Sochigel's children were Ghengis Khan's half-siblings, and included Behter and Belgutei; the latter became one of Genghis Khan's advisors.

There have been numerous works of literature, films and other works based on the Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan and his legacy. Products and places are often named after him, a trend that has attracted some concern.

References

  1. "Jack Weatherford - Macalester College" . Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  2. "Jack Weatherford | Penguin Random House". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  3. "Jack Weatherford". Robin Straus Agency, Inc. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  4. "Jack Weatherford". The Globalist. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  5. US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. "Brett Allen Bursey, Appellant, v. Jack M. Weatherford, Individually and in His Officialcapacity As an Agent of the South Carolina Statelaw Enforcement Division, et al".
  6. Brandhorst, Craig. "Editor". University of South Carolina. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  7. Lare, Marvin. "A DIGITAL EXHIBITION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ORAL HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA".
  8. "Mongolia awards Order of Genghis Khan to foreigner for first time". Xinhua . Xinhua. 24 November 2022. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  9. "Best-selling author Jack Weatherford to discuss Genghis Khan's surprising approach to religious freedom at EWU event in Spokane | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  10. Winchester, Simon (2016-12-09). "Empire of Tolerance". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  11. Kilian, Crawford (2010-07-26). "Genghis Khan, Feminist". The Tyee. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  12. "Jack Weatherford arrived in Mongolia by the President invitation". gogo.mn. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  13. "Weatherford, Jack – Minnesota Authors on the Map" . Retrieved 2022-12-26.