12 Facts About Eugene Burdick

Eugene Leonard Burdick was an American political scientist, novelist, and non-fiction writer, co-author of The Ugly American, Fail-Safe, and author of The 480.

Eugene Burdick was born in Sheldon, Iowa, the son of Marie Ellerbroek and Jack Dale Burdick.

Eugene Burdick's father was a socialist who named his son after Eugene V Debs.

Eugene Burdick's family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was four years of age.

Eugene Burdick received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Stanford University.

Eugene Burdick spent much of his career as a professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley, where he oversaw an integrated course in the social sciences and served as a consultant to the university's administration.

Eugene Burdick first gained national attention as a writer of fiction in 1947 when "Rest Camp on Maui," a short story derived from his wartime experiences that was published by Harper's Magazine, received the O Henry Award second prize.

Eugene Burdick was a Cold War liberal, supporting the Vietnam War, though he was critical of how the United States government went about it.

Eugene Burdick was scheduled to speak in defense of the administration at the Berkeley Teach-in in May 1965 before withdrawing at the last minute, alleging that those attending weren't interested in a dialogue.

Eugene Burdick died in 1965 of a heart attack, while playing tennis, in San Diego, California, at the age of 46.

Eugene Burdick had had a prior heart attack in 1959.

Eugene Burdick was survived by his wife Carol and three children.