Career Timeline of Timothy Snyder: Major Achievements and Milestones

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Timothy Snyder

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Timothy Snyder made an impact.

Timothy Snyder is an American historian renowned for his expertise in Central and Eastern European history, the Soviet Union, and the Holocaust. He holds the Richard C. Levin Professorship of History at Yale University and is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. His work focuses on understanding the historical context of political and social issues, particularly concerning totalitarianism, nationalism, and the fragility of democracy. Snyder is known for his insightful analysis and contributions to public discourse on contemporary challenges to democratic institutions.

1994: Fellowship at French National Centre for Scientific Research

From 1994 to 1995, Timothy Snyder held a fellowship at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Paris.

1995: Fellowship at French National Centre for Scientific Research

From 1994 to 1995, Timothy Snyder held a fellowship at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Paris.

1996: Fellowship in Vienna

In 1996, Timothy Snyder held a fellowship at the Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen in Vienna.

1997: Fellowship at Harvard University

In 1997, Timothy Snyder held a fellowship at the Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University.

1998: Academy Scholar at Harvard

From 1998 to 2001, Timothy Snyder was an Academy Scholar at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.

1998: Publication of Nationalism, Marxism, and Modern Central Europe

In 1998, Timothy Snyder's first book, "Nationalism, Marxism, and Modern Central Europe: A Biography of Kazimierz Kelles-Krauz" was published.

Nationalism, Marxism, and Modern Central Europe: A Biography of Kazimierz Kelles-Krauz, 1872-1905
Nationalism, Marxism, and Modern Central Europe: A Biography of Kazimierz Kelles-Krauz, 1872-1905

1999: Historical Scope of The Reconstruction of Nations

Timothy Snyder's book "The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus" covers the history from 1569–1999.

2001: Academy Scholar at Harvard

From 1998 to 2001, Timothy Snyder was an Academy Scholar at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.

2003: Publication of The Reconstruction of Nations

In 2003, Timothy Snyder published "The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569–1999".

The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569–1999
The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569–1999

2005: Publication of Sketches from a Secret War

In 2005, Timothy Snyder published "Sketches from a Secret War: A Polish Artist's Mission to Liberate Soviet Ukraine".

Sketches from a Secret War: A Polish Artist's Mission to Liberate Soviet Ukraine
Sketches from a Secret War: A Polish Artist's Mission to Liberate Soviet Ukraine

2008: Publication of The Red Prince

In 2008, Timothy Snyder published "The Red Prince: The Secret Lives of a Habsburg Archduke".

The Red Prince: The Secret Lives of a Habsburg Archduke
The Red Prince: The Secret Lives of a Habsburg Archduke

2010: Publication of Bloodlands

In 2010, Timothy Snyder published "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin", a best-selling book.

2010: Publication of Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin

In 2010, Timothy Snyder published "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin", which was described as a best-seller.

2012: Publication of Thinking the Twentieth Century

In 2012, Timothy Snyder co-authored "Thinking the Twentieth Century" with Tony Judt. The book is based primarily on material by Judt, edited by Snyder.

Thinking the Twentieth Century
Thinking the Twentieth Century

2012: Contemporary European History Forum

In 2012, the journal Contemporary European History published a special forum on Timothy Snyder's book Bloodlands, featuring reviews and a response by Snyder.

2013: Philippe Roman Chair of International History

For the academic year 2013-2014, Timothy Snyder held the Philippe Roman Chair of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

2013: René Girard Lecturer at Stanford University

In 2013, Timothy Snyder was the René Girard Lecturer at Stanford University.

February 3, 2014: Warning of Russian Invasion

On February 3, 2014, Timothy Snyder predicted Russia's invasion of Crimea in a New York Times op-ed, outlining specific threats of an invasion.

2014: Philippe Roman Chair of International History

For the academic year 2013-2014, Timothy Snyder held the Philippe Roman Chair of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

2015: Lectures in Ukraine

In 2015, Timothy Snyder delivered a series of lectures in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv, Ukraine, focusing on his historical research and the contemporary political situation.

2015: Publication of Black Earth

In 2015, Timothy Snyder published "Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning".

Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning
Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning

2016: Interview about Bloodlands

In 2016, Timothy Snyder described "Bloodlands" in an interview as an attempt to overcome the limitations of national history in explaining the political crimes perpetrated in Eastern Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.

2017: Publication of On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

In 2017, Timothy Snyder published "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", described as a best-seller.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

2017: Publication of On Tyranny

In 2017, Timothy Snyder published "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", which topped The New York Times Best Seller list for paperback nonfiction.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

2017: Snyder elaborates additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny

On October 30, 2024, Timothy Snyder elaborated additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny including text from the 2017 book along with new reflections.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

December 2018: Snyder coins Schizo-fascism

In December 2018, Timothy Snyder referred to Vladimir Putin's government's use of fascist ideas as "schizo-fascism" during a discussion with John Connelly.

2018: Publication of The Road to Unfreedom

In 2018, Timothy Snyder published "The Road to Unfreedom", which has been described as a best-seller.

The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America

September 25, 2020: Named to Real Facebook Oversight Board

On September 25, 2020, Timothy Snyder was named as one of the 25 members of the "Real Oversight Board", an independent group monitoring Facebook.

2020: References to the Big Lie

Around 2020, Timothy Snyder started using the term "big lie", in reference to Donald Trump's claim that he won the 2020 election, and memory laws to describe Republican state legislators' bills.

2020: Publication of Our Malady

In 2020, Timothy Snyder published "Our Malady", a book on the American health care system.

Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary
Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary

January 2021: Snyder publishes essay on the future of the GOP

In January 2021, Snyder published an essay in The New York Times blaming Trump and his enablers, Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, for the insurrection fueled by their claims of election fraud.

2021: On Tyranny on Bestseller Lists

In 2021, Timothy Snyder's book, "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", remained on bestseller lists.

November 2, 2022: Snyder becomes an ambassador of UNITED24

On November 2, 2022, Timothy Snyder became the tenth ambassador of UNITED24, where he completed a fundraiser to collect donations for a system to counter Russian unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine.

November 2022: Yale lecture series available to the public

By November 2022, Timothy Snyder's Yale lecture series, The Making of Modern Ukraine, became available to the general public on YouTube and as a podcast series, having been viewed by millions.

March 14, 2023: Briefing the UN Security Council

On March 14, 2023, Timothy Snyder briefed the United Nations Security Council, addressing Russia's use of the term "Russophobia" to justify war crimes in Ukraine.

November 2023: Snyder leads the "Ukrainian History Global Initiative"

In November 2023, Snyder began leading 90 scholars in the "Ukrainian History Global Initiative" to study Ukraine and its history, including disciplines beyond history and sponsoring academic conferences, publications, and archaeological excavations.

April 10, 2024: Snyder joins appeal to Congress for aid to Ukraine

On April 10, 2024, Timothy Snyder joined with over 35 musicians, actors, thinkers, historians, entrepreneurs, and diplomats in an appeal to Congress for aid to Ukraine in defense of democracy and in the fight "for our safety and for everyone's freedom."

April 17, 2024: Snyder provides testimony for the "Defending America from the Chinese Communist Party's Political Warfare, Part I" session

On April 17, 2024, Timothy Snyder provided written and oral testimony for the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability session: "Defending America from the Chinese Communist Party's Political Warfare, Part I," where he discussed political warfare and the exploitation of domestic weaknesses by hostile foreign powers.

August 18, 2024: Snyder and Mark Hamill launch United24 Safe Terrain Initiative

On August 18, 2024, Timothy Snyder, joined by Mark Hamill, launched the United24 Safe Terrain Initiative funding mine clearing robots to rid Ukrainian lands of explosive ordnance, reduce risks for sappers, and allow people to return to their businesses and farms.

September 2024: Snyder's September 2024 essay Trump's Hitlerian Month

In September 2024, Snyder's essay "Trump's Hitlerian Month" argues that the American taboo on comparisons with Hitler functions as a shield for perpetrators and analyzes Trump's anti-Ukraine rhetoric.

September 17, 2024: Snyder's book, On Freedom, launched

On September 17, 2024, Snyder's book, On Freedom, launched, answering questions asked of him by readers of On Tyranny, explaining how proper notions of freedom allow good government to exist.

October 30, 2024: Snyder elaborates additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny

On October 30, 2024, Timothy Snyder elaborated additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny including text from the 2017 book along with new reflections.

November 8, 2024: Snyder publishes "What Does It Mean That Donald Trump Is a Fascist?"

On November 8, 2024, Timothy Snyder published his essay "What Does It Mean That Donald Trump Is a Fascist?" in the New Yorker, asserting that both Putin and Trump are fascists, as they arbitrarily choose enemies without any real harm caused to followers.

2024: Snyder responds to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters

In 2024, Snyder responded to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters. Snyder predicts that a Trump-Vance electoral win would destroy the American economy.

2024: Publication of On Freedom

In 2024, Timothy Snyder published "On Freedom", a book about the misunderstanding and redefinition of freedom.

2024: Snyder assesses global and domestic affairs in his newsletter Thinking About

Since November 2024, following the United States presidential election, Timothy Snyder has been evaluating global and domestic issues in his newsletter, 'Thinking About,' employing diverse perspectives and cautioning against shock and outrage in order to understand the incoming regime's complexities.

February 5, 2025: Snyder comments on Elon Musk’s attempt to seize control of the U.S. Treasury system

On February 5, 2025, Timothy Snyder characterized Elon Musk's actions regarding the U.S. Treasury system as a "coup," emphasizing the shift from physical to digital power and the dangers of extralegal control of digital systems.

February 2025: Teaching at the Munk School

In February 2025, Timothy Snyder is on leave from Yale University and will teach at the Munk School at the University of Toronto during the 2025-26 academic year.

February 2025: Snyder calls for rejection of propagandistic references to “peace negotiations” in Ukraine’s absence

In February 2025, following the Munich Security Conference, Timothy Snyder advocated for dismissing propagandistic allusions to "peace negotiations" without Ukraine's involvement, arguing that Russia's withdrawal would immediately establish peace. He criticized American negotiations for seemingly favoring aggressors and undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.

2025: Snyder contrasts Project 2025

In 2025, Snyder contrasts Project 2025 calls for the expulsion of civil servants who know how to keep things working with good government efforts to promote progress, stability, and prosperity.

2025: Snyder responds to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters

In 2025, Snyder responded to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters. Snyder predicts that a Trump-Vance electoral win would destroy the American economy.

2025: Snyder describes Trump as Russia’s "only chance of winning the war"

In 2025, Timothy Snyder stated that Trump is Russia’s "only chance of winning the war", adding that Trump has always been submissive towards the power in the Kremlin and seemed to enjoy being bullied by Putin.