NELSON POLSBY

Nelson Polsby, renowned political scientist, died Feb. 6, 2007, at the age of 72. He was a member of the Wesleyan faculty from 1961 through 1968, rising from the rank of assistant professor to full professor. A prolific author of books and articles, he was also editor of The American Political Science Review, the premier political science journal. Perspectives on Politics noted that Polsby ranked in the top 10 of most frequently cited political scientists among those entering the field when he did. In the early 1980s, Polsby was a visiting professor at the Roosevelt Center for American Policy Studies in Washington, D.C., a private think tank that specialized in issues of defense policy and disarmament. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his children, and grandchildren.