Eric Van Young: In Memoriam

Van Young’s findings are captured in four major works of historiography and biography, in addition to countless articles, essays and book reviews. His major publications include “Hacienda & Market in 18th Century Mexico” (1981); “The Other Rebellion: Popular Violence, Ideology, and the Struggle for Mexican Independence, 1810-1821” (2001); “A Life Together: Lucas Alamán and Mexico, 1792-1853” (2021); and “Stormy Passage: Mexico from Colony to Republic, 1750-1850” (2022).

In 2011, Van Young was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship that supported research for his biography of the 19th-century Mexican statesman and historian, Luis Alamán. Over a period of 15 years, Van Young scoured Alamán’s published writings and correspondences to present a more nuanced analysis of the stigmatized statesman. The narrative also illuminated the larger context of the trials and tribulations the country faced in its transition from colonial rule to nationhood.

Van Young earned international acclaim for his scholarly work. Awards and accolades included the Bolton-Johnson Prize (2003) for the best book in Latin American history in English, presented by the Conference on Latin American History. He was named a corresponding member of the Mexican Academy of Science (2007). Two years later he earned the Medalla 1808, bestowed by the government of the Federal District of Mexico for distinguished contributions to the historiography of Mexico. And he was elected a corresponding member of the Academia Mexicana de Historia in 2012.

Van Young was born in Los Angeles on Jan. 3, 1946, to Lillian and Oscar Van Young, both graduates of the Art Institute of Chicago who had moved to California to paint film sets. Van Young’s passion for history was sparked at the University of Chicago, where he majored in history as an undergraduate student. He continued his education at UC Berkeley, where he earned a Ph.D. in history. 

After completing his doctoral degree, Van Young began teaching as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, followed by two years as an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1982 he joined UC San Diego’s Department of History, where he would dedicate 32 years of his academic career. 

His service to the university was extensive. Van Young served as associate director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies where he organized symposia, led a writer’s seminar and reviewed fellowship applications. He also spent four years chairing the Department of History and served as vice chair for Academic Affairs on the Academic Senate. Additionally, he led the School of Arts and Humanities as interim dean for more than a year. 

Van Young taught both undergraduate and graduate history courses at UC San Diego. He was a valued graduate student mentor who was highly sought as a thesis and dissertation committee member. Many of his doctoral students have gone on to significant tenure-track positions in universities. He retired from UC San Diego as distinguished professor in 2015.

Those who knew him best describe him as having a highly inquisitive mind with deep intellectual breadth. Van Young read broadly in all subjects, and was a deep lover of literature, art and classical music, especially opera. He held a voracious curiosity about the world that motivated extensive travel to Mexico and beyond in service of his scholarship. 

Van Young leaves a legacy of scholarly innovation and academic collaboration, a prolific and penetrating body of work and an adoring family—including wife of 47 years Marjorie, children Marin and Adrian and four grandchildren.