Obituary
Renowned Professor a Global Authority on Political Institutions

Internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on both the U.S. Congress and British legislative systems, UC Berkeley political science professor Nelson Polsby died Feb. 6 in his Berkeley home due to complications associated with heart disease. He was 72.

Polsby began his career at UC Berkeley in 1967, teaching courses on the different facets of the American political system.

“He was one of the most important figures in American politics,” said Gordon Silverstein, an assistant professor of political science. “He made enormous contributions to the understanding of Congress and political parties.”

Polsby graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1956 and proceeded to get both his master’s degree and doctorate in political science from Yale University.

Polsby began serving as the director of the campus Institute of Governmental Studies from 1988 through 1999, helping it blossom into one of the nation’s most important places to study American politics, according to Silverstein.

“When he was IGS director, he did a lot to broaden the profile of the institute in more than just California politics, but also American and world politics,” said graduate student David Hopkins, Polsby’s former research assistant.

A former editor of the American Political Science Review, Polsby was among one the first political scientists in the nation to recognize and analyze the human side of Congress’ workings, Silverstein said.

“Rather than just studying it as a cold institution, he studied the people and put a little flesh, bone, and blood in a very clinical study of institutions and behavior,” he said.

Despite his immense reputation, Polsby was regarded among colleagues, friends, and students alike as a warm and extremely generous individual.

“He was someone you could always call for a personal or professional matter,” said longtime friend David Brady, a professor of political science at Stanford University. “He was always giving and always prepared to talk. He was warm and always a pleasure at a conversation or at a dinner party.”

Polsby was also known for his daily teas during which anybody ranging from prominent political figures to undergraduate students could sit down and informally discuss pressing political issues.

A leading source of academic expertise on Congress, Polsby was frequently quoted by major newspapers and would often use his sharp and distinctive humor to convey and clarify many of his points, Silverstein said.

“He was very colorful and generous,” Silverstein said. “He was just larger than life.”

He is survived by his wife Linda of 48 years and his three children Lisa, Emily, and Daniel.

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