History of Timothy Snyder in Timeline
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.
1933: Snyder elaborates "vorauseilender Gehorsam", the concept of obedience that hurries out ahead, dating from 1933 Germany
In 1933 Germany, Snyder elaborates "vorauseilender Gehorsam", the concept of obedience that hurries out ahead, dating from 1933 Germany and expressed most clearly in public haste to comply with Hitler shortly after his election, enabling him to seize additional powers
1938: Snyder compares Munich meetings
In 1938, Snyder compares Munich meetings in 1938 and 2022, noting the uncanny similarity between Hitler’s denial of Czechoslovak state legitimacy in 1938 and Putin’s denial of Ukrainian state legitimacy in 2022.
1938: 1938 Anschluss
In 1938, Snyder references the 1938 Anschluss when Austrians were quicker to accommodate the joining of their country to Germany than even Hitler himself expected.
1939: Molotov-Ribbentrop pact
In 1939, Timothy Snyder references the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact as precedents for the exclusion of Ukraine from talks representing an attack on its sovereignty.
1963: Parents' Marriage
In 1963, Snyder's parents were married in a Quaker ceremony in Ohio.
1969: Timothy Snyder Born
In 1969, Timothy David Snyder, an American historian specializing in Central and Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and the Holocaust, was born.
1969: Snyder's Birth
In 1969, Timothy Snyder was born in the Dayton, Ohio, area.
1991: Marshall Scholar
From 1991 to 1994, Timothy Snyder was a Marshall Scholar at Balliol College, Oxford.
1994: Marshall Scholar
From 1991 to 1994, Timothy Snyder was a Marshall Scholar at Balliol College, Oxford.
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.
1994: Snyder marries Milada Vachudova
In 1994, Timothy Snyder married fellow academic Milada Vachudova, with whom he also collaborated on scholarly work.
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.
1995: Receives PhD from Oxford
In 1995, Timothy Snyder received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in modern history from the University of Oxford.
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.
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.
2005: Snyder marries Marci Shore
In 2005, Timothy Snyder remarried to Marci Shore, a professor of European cultural and intellectual history at Yale University.
2008: Publication of The Red Prince
In 2008, Timothy Snyder published "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.
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".
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.
May 2017: Snyder warns that the Trump administration would attempt to subvert democracy
In May 2017, in an interview with Salon, Snyder warned that the Trump administration would attempt to subvert democracy by declaring a state of emergency and take full control of the government, similar to Hitler's Reichstag fire.
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.
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.
2017: Snyder compares Trump administration to Hitler's rise to power
In early 2017, Snyder commented on the similarities between the Trump administration's agenda and Adolf Hitler's rise to power, cautioning that history offers examples and patterns that enhance our ability to anticipate and resist.
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.
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.
December 2019: Snyder falls seriously ill
In December 2019, Timothy Snyder fell seriously ill following a series of medical misdiagnoses and while recuperating through the coronavirus pandemic he wrote Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary.
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 Facebook Oversight Board", an independent group monitoring Facebook.
November 2, 2020: Snyder repeats warning about Trump's plan to stay in power
On November 2, 2020, Snyder repeated his warning about Trump's plan to stay in power by some other way than winning the popular or electoral vote and that Trump's lies would lead to tyranny.
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: Snyder explains how Trump's big lie about the 2020 elections mirrors Nazi history
In 2020, Snyder explained how Trump's big lie about the rigged election mirrors Nazi history and endangers democracy by forcing people to accept an illogical premise.
2020: Publication of Our Malady
In 2020, Timothy Snyder published "Our Malady", a book on the American health care system.
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: Snyder elaborates on the resonance of Nazi history within Donald Trump's claim to a landslide victory
In 2021, Snyder elaborated on the resonance of Nazi history within Donald Trump's claim to a landslide victory, recalling the German Reich's "stab in the back" lie and how Trump's "big lie" tears the very fabric of factuality.
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.
November 2022: Sanctioned by Russia
In November 2022, Timothy Snyder was included on the list of 200 Americans barred from entering Russian territory, under sanctions announced by the Russian government.
2022: Snyder compares Munich meetings
In 2022, Snyder compares Munich meetings in 1938 and 2022, noting the uncanny similarity between Hitler’s denial of Czechoslovak state legitimacy in 1938 and Putin’s denial of Ukrainian state legitimacy in 2022.
September 2023: Meeting with Olena Zelenska
In September 2023, Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, met with Timothy Snyder to discuss the mental health and resilience of Ukrainians at the Yalta European Strategy Annual Meeting.
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: Snyder likens NBC's hiring of Ronna McDaniel to anticipatory obedience
In 2024, Timothy Snyder criticized NBC's hiring of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, comparing it to the anticipatory obedience he described in his book On Tyranny. He argued that NBC's action implied a possible breakdown of the democratic system and the acceptance of someone who had previously attempted to undermine it.
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.
Mentioned in this timeline
Elon Musk is a businessman primarily known for his involvement...
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who has dominated Russian...
Ukraine is an Eastern European country the second largest on...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
The United States of America located in North America and...
Facebook is a social media and networking service created in...
Trending
18 minutes ago Severe storms, hail, and possible tornadoes threaten central Ohio, prompting weather alerts.
18 minutes ago Gary Danielson, CBS analyst and ex-Detroit Lion announces his retirement after 2025 season.
19 minutes ago Jeremy Renner Celebrates Daughter Ava's 12th Birthday with Heartfelt Throwback Photo.
19 minutes ago Alex Bowman honors Jimmie Johnson's 2012 Southern 500 win with Darlington Throwback scheme.
3 days ago Ernie Johnson decides 'Inside the NBA' future, easing Charles Barkley's TNT concerns.
1 hour ago Norman Powell Believes Clippers Can Make a Deep Playoff Run and Win Championship.
Popular
Jasmine Crockett is an American lawyer and politician currently serving...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is a highly decorated American...
Bruce Pearl is an American college basketball coach currently head...
Cristiano Ronaldo nicknamed CR is a Portuguese professional footballer widely...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is a celebrated American...
Pamela Jo Bondi is an American attorney lobbyist and politician...