A. Curtis Wilgus, veteran Latin American historian, died on January 27, 1981, in North Miami Beach, Florida. Born in Plattville, Wisconsin, he earned three degrees at the University of Wisconsin, although he also studied at the University of California (Berkeley) under Herbert E. Bolton.
Wilgus taught at the University of South Carolina (1924-30) and at George Washington University (1930—50), where he organized and directed the Center for Latin American Affairs. In 1950 he joined the University of Florida to organize the School of Inter-American Studies, which he directed until his retirement in 1967. He also organized the school’s annual Caribbean Conferences.
His wide-ranging activities included being cofounder and president of the Seminar for the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials, sponsored by the Pan American Union, and of the Inter-American Bibliographical and Library Association. For twenty-eight years he reviewed all major books in English dealing with Latin America for the quarterly journal Doors to Latin America. He was also author or editor of dozens of books and articles, including a twenty-three—volume historical dictionary on the Latin American republics. After retiring from the University of Florida, Wilgus continued his historiographical studies and publications.
Author notes
The author is Professor Emeritus of History) Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.
