University of Wisconsin Part II (1954–1971)

Abstract

The position of a guest professor for one semester at Brandeis University was perhaps arranged by Lewis Coser and Phil Rieff. They had been encouraging him to try it to see if he might not look for a permanent move to Brandeis. Although it had no graduate school, they wrote, he would have great freedom in teaching. Gerth was truly looking forward for this experience to be away from Madison. The reality he faced, as one can imagaine, was quite hard. As H.I. had died so unexpectedly and so close to the time he was to teach at Brandeis, he did not have the presence of mind to re-think his plans. He had just followed the plans that were laid before him. In retrospect, he wondered how the Brandeis administration had expected that he could teach under such circumstances. It might have been possible to ask for a release from the contract and stay in Madison with the children, instead of making them part with both parents at once.