Douglas Wheeler: Life Overview
Douglas Lanpher Wheeler (1937 – 2017) was a prominent American historian specializing in Portuguese and African history, and a distinguished career diplomat. He spent his formative years in Maine, developing an early interest in international affairs.
Diplomatic and Academic Career
Wheeler's career blended scholarship and diplomacy:
- Education: Earned a B.A. from Amherst College (1959) and a Ph.D. in History from Boston University (1963), focusing on Portuguese colonial history.
- Academic Foundation: Taught history at the University of New Hampshire (1963-1965; 1967-1969), establishing himself as an expert on Portugal and its empire, particularly Angola.
- Diplomatic Service: Joined the U.S. Department of State in 1969. Key roles included:
- Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal (crucial period encompassing the 1974 "Carnation Revolution" and Portuguese decolonization).
- Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.
- Director of Regional Affairs for Africa at the State Department.
- U.S. Ambassador to Algeria (1985-1988), navigating complex relations during a turbulent period in Algeria.
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights (1988-1990).
- Return to Academia: Retired from the Foreign Service in 1990 and resumed teaching at the University of New Hampshire until his retirement as Professor Emeritus. He continued researching and publishing on Portuguese and African history.
Legacy: Wheeler is remembered as a bridge-builder between the United States and Portugal, contributing significantly to American understanding of Portuguese history and decolonization in Africa through both his diplomatic work and influential scholarly publications. His expertise informed U.S. policy during critical transitions in Portuguese Africa.
