Dr. Margot A. Henriksen

Dr. Margot Henriksen (1956-2021)

The Department of History is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Dr. Margot “Mimi” Henriksen. Mimi was a specialist in postwar US cultural history. She researched deeply, and taught wildly successful courses about film, TV, and political opinion. Her book Dr. Strangelove’s America: Society and Culture in the Atomic Age (University of California Press, 1997) showed how American public discourse and national imaginings were profoundly altered by the onset of the nuclear age. Undergraduate students in US and World History courses adored her irreverent and dynamic style, showcased in innovative courses including “Viva Las Vegas!” and “American Television History.” Serving as graduate chair for several years, she was a profoundly supportive mentor to MA and PhD students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in teaching and researching US history. She is gone far too soon. We will cherish her legacy and always honor her contributions to the department.

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