Wilson D. (Bill) Miscamble, C.S.C.
Professor
Field
U.S. Diplomatic History
Profile
Rev. Wilson D. (Bill) Miscamble, C.S.C. joined the permanent faculty at Notre Dame in 1988. The Australian native was born on July 23, 1953, and educated at the University of Queensland, from which he graduated in 1973 and obtained a master’s degree three years later. In 1976 he came to Notre Dame to pursue graduate studies in history. He received his doctoral degree in 1980. He then served for two years as North American analyst in the Office of National Assessments, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Canberra, Australia. In August of 1982 he returned to Notre Dame and entered the priestly formation program of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1988. In the history department he teaches at all levels from first year courses to doctoral seminars. He chaired the history department from 1993 to 1998. In addition to his responsibilities on the history faculty he has served as Rector and Superior of Moreau Seminary, the principal formation site for the Congregation of Holy Cross in North America. Fr. Miscamble’s primary research interests are American foreign policy since World War II and the role of Catholics in 20th century U.S. foreign relations. His book entitled George F. Kennan and the Making of American Foreign Policy, 1947-1950 was published in 1992 by Princeton University Press and received the Harry S. Truman Book Award. He also has authored Keeping the Faith, Making a Difference (2000), and edited American Political History: Essays on the State of the Discipline [with John Marszalek] (1997), and Go Forth and Do Good: Memorable Notre Dame Commencement Addresses (2003). His book From Roosevelt to Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima and the Cold War was recently published by Cambridge University Press. He also has published a number of other articles, essays and reviews.
Current Project
His next major project is a book-length survey entitled - "The Search for Influence: Catholics and American Foreign policy from the Spanish-American War to the War in Iraq." This study will shed further light on the intersection of religion and foreign policy and will fill a definite lacunae in the field of U.S. diplomatic history.
Teaching Interests
He has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses, although more heavily concentrated on the undergraduate than the graduate level. In the former area he has taught courses in his sub-discipline (i.e. a U.S. foreign policy sequence and a U.S. and the Vietnam War course) in addition to the second half of the U.S. history survey. More recently, he has offered a course on Australian history and society, and courses on the American presidency in the 20th century. On the graduate level he has given directed readings and seminars on U.S. diplomatic history.
Recent Publications
"The Faculty 'Problem': How can Catholic Identity be Preserved?" America Magazine Vol. 197 No 6 (September 10, 2007), pp.26-28.
From Roosevelt to Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima and the Origins of the Cold War (Cambridge University Press, October 2006.)
“Old Myths Revived,” Review Essay of Tsuyoshi Hasegawa’s Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman, and the Surrender of Japan in the Review of Politics (Summer, 2006 issue.)
“The Corporate University: A Catholic Response,” America Magazine, Vol. 195, No 3 (July 31-August 7, 2006), pp. 14-17.
Contact
Office: 357 Decio Faculty Hall
Phone: (574) 631-7541
Email: miscamble.1@nd.edu