Paul Gordon Lauren papers, 1966-2024

Paul Gordon Lauren was born in Seattle, Washington on February 17, 1946. In 1965, he worked as a teacher for the East Harlem Protestant Parish and was actively involved in the civil rights movement in New York City. He received a B.A. in history and political science from Washington State University in 1968. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in history and political science from Stanford University in 1968 and 1973 respectively. Lauren joined the faculty of the history department at the University of Montana in Missoula in 1974.

Lauren became the University of Montana’s first Regents Professor in 1991. He acted as the first director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center and held the position from 1985 to 1991. During that time, he started a personal and professional relationship with Mike and Maureen Mansfield. He also held the title of Mansfield Professor of Ethics and Public Affairs. Lauren received numerous awards during his career at the University of Montana including: the Distinguished Scholar Award, the Distinguished Service to International Education Award, the Outstanding Advisor to Students Award, the Robert T. Pantzer Award, and the Most Inspirational Teacher Award. He also taught at various other universities, either as a visiting professor, visiting lecturer, or visiting scholar, including Stanford University, Massey University, University of Helsinki, University of Oslo, Pepperdine University, and the American Heritage Association. Lauren has also been recognized as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, a Peace Fellow, a Senior Fulbright Specialist, a Senior Fulbright Scholar, and a Rockefeller Foundation Humanities Fellow. He also served as a Distinguished Lecturer for the U.S. Department of State.

Dr. Lauren published numerous books and articles on human rights, diplomacy, and international relations throughout his career. He focused mainly on topics involving the United States and European nations (particularly France and Germany), but also wrote and lectured on Japan and China. Many of his works are nationally and internationally acclaimed, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his book, The Evolution of International Human Rights: Visions Seen. A celebrated lecturer, Paul Lauren delivers public addresses on international human rights and diplomacy topics throughout the United States and the world. These addresses include an invited lecture at the United Nations International Conference on Racism in 1990 and in 2007 he was invited to speak at the Nobel Peace Institute in Oslo, Norway.

Paul Lauren continues to live and work in Missoula, Montana.