This blog post was written by Dr. Michael Carver, who was one of Dr. Forsyth’s students while he was working on his PhD in History.

The History Department at BGSU bids a fond and wistful farewell to Dr. Douglas J. Forsyth, who recently completed his final semester as one of the university’s preeminent professors and now enters a well-deserved retirement after decades of distinguished teaching, scholarship, and mentorship.

Dr. Forsyth’s impressive educational background includes a Fulbright scholarship that enabled him to study at the University of Basel and the University of Munich while an undergraduate at Reed College. He then attended Princeton University, where he earned both an MA and PhD in History. Prior to his arrival at BGSU, Dr. Forsyth taught at Princeton and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and served as an affiliate at Harvard University’s Center for European Studies.

His expertise on the political and economic histories of modern Europe served him well in the writing and 1993 publication of his acclaimed book, The Crisis of Liberal Italy: Monetary and Financial Policy, 1914–1922, an indispensable work that illuminates how Italy’s financial struggles following World War I eroded faith in liberalism and precipitated the nation’s slide into fascism. The book remains an essential and highly relevant text for scholars and students seeking to understand the fragility of democratic institutions during periods of economic uncertainty.

During his many years of teaching courses in history and political science at BGSU, Dr. Forsyth covered an impressively wide range of topics dealing with Modern European History. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels who were fortunate enough to take one of his classes came away with a more complete and nuanced understanding of how conflict, diplomacy, economics, and ideology have shaped Europe over the past several centuries. He conducted his classes as a genuine collaborator who sought not merely to lecture, but to enlighten, challenge, and inspire those he taught.

Dr. Forsyth gave generously of his time to students, providing thoughtful guidance during office hours and meticulously detailed feedback on written work. Those he mentored benefitted enormously from his unwavering commitment to improving their scholarship and sharpening their analytical abilities. His students and colleagues alike can readily attest to Dr. Forsyth’s seemingly boundless knowledge extending well beyond history to subjects such as architecture, art, and historic preservation.

Earlier this spring, the History Department celebrated his distinguished career over carrot cake and charcuterie board. Colleagues told stories of the time and care he took with his students over the years, and former students regaled the surprising popular culture reference he made during class discussions. The department thanks Dr. Forsyth for his years of service, scholarship, collegiality, and dedication to generations of students. We wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.