Gerald M. Pomper

Gerald Pomper
Born(1935-04-02)April 2, 1935
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 21, 2026(2026-05-21) (aged 91)
Academic background
Education
Academic work
DisciplinePolitical science
Institutions

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]

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]

References

  1. ↑ Pomper, Gerald. "The Cleaner "Smoke-Filled Room" – Sabato's Crystal Ball". Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  2. ↑ Pomper, Gerald. "Pomper, Gerald". polisci.rutgers.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  3. 1 2 3 Rizzi, Kathryn. "Pomper, Gerald". oralhistory.rutgers.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  4. ↑ Rizzi, Kathryn. "Pomper, Gerald Part 1". oralhistory.rutgers.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  5. ↑ "Bookshelf | Columbia College Today". www.college.columbia.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  6. ↑ "Gerald Pomper | Fulbright Scholar Program". cies.org. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  7. ↑ Pomper, Gerald M. (1992-11-04). Passions and Interests: Political Party Concepts of American Democracy. University Press of Kansas.
  8. ↑ Saxon, Wolfgang (2005-04-11). "Wilson McWilliams, 71, Dies; Wrote About Political Trends". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  9. ↑ "After the Dust Has Settled: Political Scientist Gerald Pomper to Discuss Meanings of 2012 Elections at Nov. 16 Program". Princeton, NJ Patch. 2012-10-17. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  10. ↑ "Gerald M. Pomper". Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel. Retrieved 23 May 2026.