In loving memory of
Maurice Meisner
November 17, 1931 - January 23, 2012
Shorewood Hills/Madison- Maurice Meisner passed away at his home in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, January 23, 2012.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Lubkeman, and their son Matthew, and three children from his first marriage, Anne, William, and Jeffrey.
Mauri was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 17, 1931. He briefly attended Wayne State University in Detroit before moving to the University of Chicago to complete both his M.A. and Ph.D. in History.
Mauri began his long academic career in the field of Chinese history at the University of Virginia where he taught for five years in the mid-1960s. In 1968 he moved to the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he completed his career there as the Harvey Goldberg Professor of History. For over four decades, Mauri established himself as a leading figure in the study of Chinese Marxism, Maoism, and the history of the People's Republic of China. In his prolific writing career he published many books, including Li Ta-chao and the Origins of Chinese Marxism, Mao's China and After, and Mao Zedong: A Political and Intellectual Portrait. His books and the numerous articles that he wrote have been translated into multiple languages. A common theme in all of Mauri's writings is a deep human sympathy and a concern for the working out of human aspirations in the midst of historical change.
Mauri was a beloved teacher who shared his vision with hundreds of undergraduates as well as his many graduate students who now, in turn, teach others in universities and schools around the world.
A gathering of Mauri's friends will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2 pm at the Agrace HospiceCare Center at 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg.
Memorials may be made in Mauri's name to Second Harvest Foodbank, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718 or the Goodman Community Center Food Pantry, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison, WI, 53704.