Robert H. Hewsen (born Hewsenian; May 20, 1934 – November 17, 2018) was an American historian and professor of history at Rowan University. He was an expert on the ancient history of the South Caucasus. Hewsen is the author of Armenia: A Historical Atlas (2001), a major reference book, acclaimed as an important achievement in Armenian studies.

Biography

Hewsen was born Robert H. Hewsenian in New York City in 1934. His Armenian father came to the U.S. from Smyrna (now Izmir). He spent seven years in Europe with the US Air Force and studying. He received his B.A. in history from the University of Maryland and his Ph.D. from Georgetown University in 1967. The same year he joined the history department of Rowan University, where he taught Byzantine and Russian history for more than 30 years. After retiring from Rowan University in July 1999, Professor Hewsen lectured at University of Chicago, Columbia University, California State University, Fresno and University of California, Los Angeles. He was the president of the Society for Armenian Studies in 1988–89. He was also the co-founder and president of the Society for the Study of Caucasia, which was active from 1989 to 1997.

Works

Hewsen wrote many books and articles on the history of the Caucasus, especially Armenia. His seminal contribution to the field is Armenia: A Historical Atlas (2001). The book received wide critical acclaim. Michael E. Stone said it "has no rival in Armenian studies", calling it a "pioneering and largely definitive work" and the "best atlas of Armenia ever prepared." Merrill D. Peterson wrote that it "may by itself be considered a monument of American scholarship." Nina Garsoian also described it as monumental. Charles King wrote that the book is an "outstanding achievement not only as a geographical reference but also as a guide to the demographic and political history of the entire Caucasus." Adam T. Smith wrote of the Atlas as "an important milestone in the development of Armenian studies."