Biographical note

Dr. Milton Plesur was born in Buffalo on April 15, 1927. He attended Buffalo State College where he received his Bachelor of Science in 1947, then his Masters at the University of Buffalo in February of 1949 and his Ph.D. at the University of Rochester in June 1954. Plesur started his teaching career while pursuing his Masters and Ph.D. He taught in Buffalo Public Schools from 1949 to 1954 and Niagara Falls, N.Y. Public Schools from 1953 to 1954. He began teaching at the University of Buffalo in 1949, when he became a graduate assistant in History. From 1950 until 1952, Plesur was a teaching fellow in History at the University of Rochester. At the University at Buffalo Dr. Plesur held the positions of lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor teaching in the fields of history, education, history of education with a focus in social studies education, and general studies. Dr. Plesur’s tenure at UB spanned from 1955 until his retirement in 1987.

Dr. Plesur’s research focused on mid-19th century and mid-20th century America, encompassing political affairs, Judaism in America, American Imperialism and foreign affairs, and popular culture, especially in film.

In addition to his teaching duties at the University at Buffalo, Plesur held visiting professorships at the University of Michigan (1970), University of Maine (1967), and Indiana University (1965) during their summer classes. Plesur also held several non-teaching positions that included Doctoral Advisor in the Education, History, Senior Honors, etc. Dr. Plesur served on the M.A. and Ph.D. Examination Boards. He made approximately 150 public appearances throughout the years 1956 to 1974, speaking at local Western New York and out of state forums, schools, panels, radio shows, synagogues, and even being featured in The Village Voice, The SUNY/Buffalo Report, and the Daily Mirror in London.

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