Dorothy Ross (historian)

Dorothy Ross (1936-2023) was a prominent American historian known for her work in intellectual history, particularly her analyses of American social thought, the social sciences, and the historical profession. She was a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University.

Ross's scholarship is characterized by its nuanced understanding of the relationship between ideas and social contexts. She explored how social, political, and economic forces shaped intellectual trends, and conversely, how ideas influenced social action.

Her major works include:

• G. Stanley Hall: The Psychologist as Prophet (1972): A biography of the pioneering psychologist G. Stanley Hall.
• The Origins of American Social Science (1991): A seminal work examining the development of social science disciplines in the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, analyzing their connection to Progressivism and the professionalization of knowledge.
• American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword (1991): An edited collection of essays examining the concept of American exceptionalism.
• Origins of American Social Science, Reconsidered Edition (2017)

Ross's work has been influential in the fields of American intellectual history, the history of social science, and the history of the professions. She is recognized for her rigorous scholarship, her insightful interpretations, and her commitment to understanding the complex interplay of ideas and society. She was a recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including a Guggenheim Fellowship.