Gerald M. Pomper
American political scientist (1935–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerald M. Pomper (April 2, 1935 – May 21, 2026) was an American political scientist and specialist in American elections and politics.[1] Pomper was the Board of Governors Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers University.[2]
Gerald Pomper | |
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| Born | April 2, 1935 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 2026 (aged 91) |
| Academic background | |
| Education | |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Political science |
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Life and career
Pomper was born in The Bronx, New York City, on April 2, 1935, to Jewish immigrants from Poland.[3] He grew up in Manhattan and graduated from Stuyvesant High School.[4] He received his BA from Columbia University in 1955 on a Ford Foundation scholarship, majoring in political science and serving as managing editor of Columbia Daily Spectator.[5] He then received his PhD from Princeton University.[3]
He began his academic career at the City College of New York, before moving to Rutgers University and served as the founding chair of the political science department of Livingston College.[3] He was a Fulbright scholar from 1971–1972, teaching at Tel Aviv University.[6]
Pomper has been described as a leading authority in the field of election studies and was called the "Dean of American Political Science" by political historian Allan Lichtman.[7][8][9]
Pomper died in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on May 21, 2026, at the age of 91.[10]