Cliff Putney

Cliff Putney

  • Associate Professor and Chair, History
  • Department Chair
  • Ph.D. in American History, Brandeis University
  • M.Div. in Religion, Harvard Divinity School
  • B.A. in History, Hampshire College

Teaching Interests

19th-Century U.S. History;
20th-Century U.S. History;
Colonial American History;
Civil War History;
World History--General

Research Interests

U.S. History--General;
American Religious History;
Gilded Age/Progressive Era History

Bio

Fields of specialization include U.S. cultural, religious, gender and recreational history, and the history of the Progressive Era. In addition to teaching U.S. and world history, he has spoken at various academic conferences and published a number of historical books and articles. He is currently writing a book about missionaries to the Pacific region. He has received a number of fellowships and grants, including a Brandeis Crown Fellowship, a Smithsonian Fellowship, and an American Philosophical Society Research Grant.

Professional Memberships

  • New England Historical Association 2011-01-01 - Present
  • Congregational Library 2007-01-01 - Present
  • American Society of Church History 2000-01-01 - 2015-01-31
  • Historical Society 2000-01-01 - 2015-01-31

    • Awards and Honors

  • Presidency, New England Historical Association
  • Vice-Presidency, New England Historical Association (NEHA)
  • Bentley College Gregory H. Adamian Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • Bentley College Class of 2006 "Most Animated" Faculty Member Award
  • Bentley College Class of 2005 "Most Popular Faculty or Staff Member" Award
  • Bentley College Greek Council "Outstanding Faculty Member" Award
  • Brandeis Dissertational Writing Fellowship
  • Brandeis Crown Fellowship
  • Smithsonian Graduate Student Fellowship
  • Hampshire Congregational Association Scholarship
  • Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship

    • Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

    Journal Articles

  • Putney, C. W., Menke, M. (2024). In Memoriam: James P. Hanlan. NEHA News 7-9.
  • Putney, C. W. (2023). Robert McCloskey, Beloved Children's Book Writer, May Have Lived in the Beacon Hill Friends House. Beacon Hill Friends House Digest 2-Jan.
  • Putney, C. W. (2019). Harry Clark Bentley: A Pioneering Accountant and the Founder of Bentley University, 1877-1967. Historical Journal of Massachusetts, (Winter 2019) 182-207.
  • Putney, C. W., Pratt, M., , ., , . (2017). A Vision and a Leap of Faith: The History of Bentley University, 1917-2017. Bentley Magazine, (Centennial Issue) 16-Nov.
  • Putney, C. W. (2011). Luther Gulick: His Contributions to Springfield College, the YMCA, and 'Muscular Christianity'. Historical Journal of Massachusetts, (39) 2-Jan 144-169.
  • Putney, C. W. (2006). Friends House's First Directors, Wesley and October Frost. Beacon Hill Friends House Newsletter Fall 8-Jul.
  • Putney, C. W. (2004). Oxenbridge Thacher: Boston Lawyer, Early Patriot. Historical Journal of Massachusetts, (32) 1 90-106.
  • Putney, C. W. (2003). God vs. Sugar: The Gulick Brothers' Fight against King Kamehameha V and the Sugar Planters in Hawaii, 1864-1870. Hawaiian Journal of History, (37) 63-89.
  • Putney, C. W. (2001). The Legacy of the Gulicks, 1827-1964. International Bulletin of Missionary Research, (25) 1 28-35.
  • Putney, C. W. (1995). Shifting Fortunes of a Mainline Parish: The Case of First Church, Amherst. Prism, (9) 1 71-85.
  • Putney, C. W. (1994). Men and Religion: Aspects of the Church Brotherhood Movement, 1880-1920. Anglican and Episcopal History, (63) 4 451-467.
  • Putney, C. W. (1993). Going Upscale: The YMCA and Postwar America, 1950-1980. Journal of Sport History, (20) 2 151-166.
  • Putney, C. W. (1993). Service Over Secrecy: How Lodgestyle Fraternalism Yielded Popularity to Men's Service Clubs. Journal of Popular Culture, (27) 1 179-190.
  • Putney, C. W. (1991). Changing Conceptions of Fatherhood in Early Victorian America. Retrospection, (4) 1 18-Jan.
  • Putney, C. W. (1991). Character Building in the YMCA, 1880-1930. Mid-America, (73) 1 49-70.

    • Books

  • Putney, C. W., Burlin, P. T. (2012). The Role of the American Board in the World: Bicentennial Reflections on the Organization's Missionary Work, 1810-2010 Eugene, Oregon: WIPF & Stock
  • Putney, C. W. (2010). Missionaries in Hawai'i: The Lives of Peter and Fanny Gulick, 1797-1883 272. Amherst, Mass: University of Massachusetts Press
  • Putney, C. W., Spencer, S. (2007). A Jubilee History, Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Beacon Hill Friends House (1957-2007) 136. Boston, Mass: The House
  • Putney, C. W. (2001). Muscular Christianity: Manhood and Sports in Protestant America, 1880-1920 300. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press

    • Book Chapters

  • Putney, C. W. (2015). The Missionary Gulicks: The Family Behind the Friendship Dolls The Sun Shines for Us All: The Friendship Dolls from Japan. Valparaiso, Indiana: Brauer Museum, Valparaiso University
  • Putney, C. W. (2012). Overview of the ABCFM From Ordination and Commissioning to Harbor Sailing. Boston Theological Institute
  • Putney, C. W. (2004). Service over Secrecy: How Lodge-Style Fraternalism Yielded to Men's Service Clubs . New York: Lexington Books
  • Putney, C. W. (1997). From Character to Body Building: The YMCA and the Suburban Metropolis, 1950-1980 . New York, NY: New York University Press

    • Digital and Electronic Media, Social Media, Blogs, Podcasts

  • Putney, C. W. 2020. "NEHA News (2011-2020)"
  • 2019. "Deseret News (Salt Lake City)"
  • 2012. "Associated Press"
  • 2011. "United Church of Christ history video"
  • 2011. "Wall Street Journal"
  • 2011. "Lutheran Public Radio"
  • 2002. "Mars Hill Audio Journal"
  • 2001. "History Channel"

    • Other Scholarly Work

  • Putney, C. W. (2020). Muscular Christianity (Encyclopedia Entry). De Gruyter .
  • Putney, C. W. (2015). Oxenbridge Thacher. Bloomsbury Press .
  • Putney, C. W. (2012). Overview of the American Board. Boston Theological Institute, (American Culture and the Missonary Enterprise: Acknowledging the 200th Anniversary of the Judson Mission and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions) .
  • Putney, C. W. (2003). Muscular Christianity. Infed (Link).
  • Putney, C. W. (2000). Roger Babson. American National Biography .

    • Presentations

  • Putney, C. W. (2024). “Introductory Remarks” Presented at the Bentley History Department Holocaust Remembrance Day Bentley
  • Putney, C. W. (2024). “"Let's Talk: The History of the New England Historical Association"” Presented at the New England Historical Association New England Historical Association Fall Conference Boston, MA
  • Putney, C. W. (2022). “Commentary on the Life of Dr. Shields” Presented at the Shields Family Foundation Documentary on the Life of Dr. Edgar Shields, Missionary to China
  • Putney, C. (2022). “Welcoming Address” Presented at the New England Historical Association Fall Conference Bentley University
  • Putney, C. W. (2021). “Missionaries in Hawaii, 1830-1850” Presented at the George Mason University Podcast on Hawaiian History Fairfax, VA (Virtual)
  • Putney, C. W. (2021). “The History of Diversity and Inclusion at Bentley University” Presented at the Bentley Learning Council Address to the Bentley Community Virtual
  • Putney, C. W. (2021). “The History of Bentley” Presented at the Bentley University Address to Bentley Alumni Virtual
  • Putney, C. W. (2021). “Harry Clark Bentley, the Founder of Bentley University” Presented at the Faculti (a scholarly collective) Faculti Interview (Faculti=Scholarly Collective) Virtual
  • Putney, C. W. (2020). “Quakerism--History and Practice” Presented at the Bentley University Sociology Department Prof. Miriam Boeri's Sociology of Religion Class Waltham (Virtual)
  • Putney, C. W. (2020). “Reflections on the Phenomenon of Muscular Christianity” Presented at the King's College, NYC King's College Religious Forum, Hosted by Anthony Bradley New York City (Virtual)
  • Putney, C. W. (2020). “Teaching History through Games: A 25-Year Retrospective” Presented at the New England Historical Association NEHA Spring Conference Sacred Heart University (Virtual)
  • Putney, C. W. (2019). “The Salem Witchcraft Trials, Redux”
  • Putney, C. W. (2018). “The Salem Witchcraft Trials”
  • Putney, C. W. (2018). “"Muscular Christianity--Q. & A."” Presented at the Salem State University/Prof. Brad Austin Sports History Class--Graduate Level Salem, MA
  • Putney, C. W. (2016). “Muscular Christianity and Christian Science” Presented at the Mary Baker Eddy Library Spiritual Intersections in Boston History Boston, MA
  • Putney, C. W. (2016). “Congregational Roots of Middlebury College” Presented at the New England Historical Association NEHA Spring Conference Middlebury, VT
  • Putney, C. W. (2015). “"Fifty Years of NEHA"” Presented at the New England Historical Association 50th Anniversary Conference of the New England Historical Association New Haven, CT
  • Putney, C. W. (2015). “"A Brief Overview of Bentley's History"” Presented at the Bentley University Centennial Steering Committee Kickoff Prudential Center, Boston
  • Putney, C. W. (2014). “"Obtaining Collegiate Status in Massachusetts after World War II: The Case of the Bentley School"” Presented at the Spring Conference of the New England Historical Association Springfield, MA
  • Putney, C. W. (2014). “"Connecticut and Hawai'i: The Missionary Connection"” Presented at the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education Missionary Legacies Conference Hartford, CT
  • Putney, C. W. (2013). “"'The Man Who Works Is the Man Who Wins': Reflections on the Life and Work of Harry Clark Bentley, the Founder of Bentley University"” Presented at the New England Historical Association Fall Conference of the New England Historical Association Hartford, CT
  • Putney, C. W. (2012). “Commentary on papers for a missionary history panel” Presented at the New England Historical Association Fall Conference of the New England Historical Association North Andover, Massachusetts
  • Putney, C. W. (2012). “Commentary on papers for a missionary history panel” Presented at the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association Annual Conference of the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association San Diego, California
  • Putney, C. W. (2012). “Overview of the American Board” Presented at the Boston Theological Institute American Culture and the Missonary Enterprise: Acknowledging the 200th Anniversary of the Judson Mission and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions Cambridge and Salem, Massachusetts
  • Putney, C. W. (2011). “An Analysis of the American Board: the Country's First Sponsor of Overseas Missions” Presented at the Fall Conference of the New England Historical Association Boston, Mass.
  • Putney, C. W. (2011). “Luther Gulick, Springfield College, and the YMCA Triangle” Presented at the Spring Conference of the New England Historical Association Worcester, Mass.
  • Putney, C. W. (2010). “Introductory Remarks” Presented at the Bentley University, Boston Theological Institute, Congregational Library Conference on the Bicentennial of the American Board Boston, Mass.
  • Putney, C. W. (2010). “Luther Gulick and the 'Body-Mind-Spirit' Ideal” Presented at the Springfield College 125th Anniversary of Springfield College Springfield, Massachusetts
  • Putney, C. W. (2009). “The Missionary Gulicks: An Evangelical Dynasty” Presented at the International Institute International Institute Symposium Madrid, Spain
  • Putney, C. W. (2009). “Missionary Ranchers: The Work of the Gulicks in Wai-mea, O'ahu” Presented at the World History Association Conference Salem, Massachusetts
  • Putney, C. W. (2008). “Koloa, Kauai: Hawaii's First Company Town” Presented at the Pacific Conference, American West Center Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Putney, C. W. (2007). “Voyaging to Hawaii: The Experience of Missionaries on the 'Parthian,' 1827-1828” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference Boston, Mass
  • Putney, C. W. (2006). “Muscular Christianity: The Legacy of the Gulicks” Presented at the YMCA General Assembly Nashville, Tennessee
  • Putney, C. W. (2005). “Why the Gulick Family Preserved Non-Christian Objects in Hawaii” Presented at the Boston Theological Institute Symposium Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Putney, C. W. (2003). “God vs. Sugar: The Gulick Brothers' Fight Against King Kamehameha V and the Sugar Planters in Hawaii, 1864-1870” Presented at the American Historical Association Conference Chicago, IL
  • Putney, C. W. (2001). “The Adoption of Sports by the YMCA, 1851-1917” Presented at the 150th-Anniversary Conference of the YMCA New Orleans, LA
  • Putney, C. W. (1999). “Images of Success: Advertisers' Idealizations of American Manhood, 1880-1930” Presented at the New England Historical Association Conference Boston, MA
  • Putney, C. W. (1999). “The Missionary Gulicks: An Evangelical Dynasty, 1827-1964” Presented at the Overseas Ministries Study Center Research Colloquium Nashville, TN
  • Putney, C. W. (1994). “Men and Religion: Aspects of the YMCA Movement in North America” Presented at the Organization of American Historians Conference Atlanta, GA
  • Putney, C. W. (1992). “Shifting Fortunes of a Mainline Parish: The Case of First Church, Amherst” Presented at the Popular Culture Association Conference Louisville, KY

    • Reviews

  • Putney, C. (2025). Word Across the Water: American Protestant Missionaries, Pacific Worlds, and the Making of Imperial Histories. , (130) 4 1893-1894.
  • Putney, C. (2024). Missionary Diplomacy: Religion and Nineteenth-Century American Foreign Relations. , (48) 493-494.
  • Putney, C. W. (2023). Titus Coan: "Apostle to the Sandwich Islands". , (109) 2 433-434.
  • Putney, C. W. (2023). Theodore Roosevelt: Preaching from the Bully Pulpit. , (65) 1 161-163.
  • Putney, C. W. (2019). Hawaiian by Birth: Missionary Children, Bicultural Identity, and U.S. Colonialism in the Pacific. 155-157.
  • Putney, C. W. (2014). Christian Masculinity: Men and Religion in Northern Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries. , (83) 1 246-48.
  • Putney, C. W. (2012). Lottie Moon: A Southern Baptist Missionary to China in History and Legend. , (117) 4 1230-31.
  • Putney, C. W. (2011). Fraternities in US History. , (4) 3 521-528.
  • Putney, C. W. (2010). Creating the College Man: American Mass Magazines and Middle-Class Manhood, 1890-1915. , (115) 5 1482-1483.
  • Putney, C. W. (2010). American Missionaries, Christian Oyatoi, and Japan, 1859-73. , (34) 2 119.
  • Putney, C. W. (2009). Christian Mission: How Christianity Became a World Religion. , (9) 1 12.
  • Putney, C. W. (2008). Disasters, Accidents and Crises in American History: A Reference Guide to the Nation's Most Catastrophic Events. , (41) 6 1095-1096.
  • Putney, C. W. (2006). Making Men, Making Class: The YMCA and Workingmen, 1877-1920. , (8) 3 373-375.
  • Putney, C. W. (2005). Stewards of the Land: The American Farm School and Greece in the Twentieth Century. , (28) 3 339-340.
  • Putney, C. W. (2005). Sports in Zion: Mormon Recreation, 1890-1940. , (110) 1 168-169.
  • Putney, C. W. (2004). Occupy until I Come: A. T. Pierson and the Evangelization of the World. April 11-Sep. (Link)
  • Putney, C. W. (2004). Religious Pluralism in America: The Contentious History of a Founding Ideal. , (27) 3 353.
  • Putney, C. W. (2002). Building Character in the Boy Scouts. , (30) 2 316-321.
  • Putney, C. W. (2002). Football: The Ivy League Origins of an American Obsession. July
  • Putney, C. W. (2002). Nothing but Christ: Rufus Anderson and the Ideology of Protestant Foreign Missions. , (80) 3 199-200.
  • Putney, C. W. (1994). Sport and Religion. , (11) 2 301-303.
  • Putney, C. W. (1991). Manhood in the American Renaissance. , (4) 2 121-124.
  • Putney, C. W. Island Queens and Mission Wives: How Gender and Empire Remade Hawaii's Pacific World. (Forthcoming)

    • Service

    Service: Department

  • Committee Chair for History Paper Prize Committee 2007-09-01 - Present

    • Service: Public

  • Committee Member for Various Committees of the Beacon Hill Friends (Quaker) Meeting - Present
  • Board Member for Beacon Hill Friends House - Present
  • Chairperson for Beacon Hill Friends House Board - Present

    • Service: Professional

  • Chairperson for New England Historical Association, Nominating Committee 2022-01-01 - Present
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for New England Historical Association - 2022-10-29
  • External Reviewer for Misericordia University History Program 2022-01-10 - 2022-01-23
  • Officer, President/Elect/Past for New England Historical Association - Present
  • Officer, Vice President for New England Historical Association - Present
  • Editor, Journal for New England Historical Association 2011-01-01 - 2020-04-30
  • Board of Directors for New England Historical Association - Present

    • Service: University

  • Committee Member for Focal Area 2 Governance Committee 2021-07-01 - 2021-08-31
  • Department Chair for History Department 2020-07-01 - Present
  • Committee Member for Faculty Senate 2018-09-01 - 2020-06-30
  • Committee Member for Faculty Evaluations and Procedures Committee 2018-09-01 - 2020-05-31
  • Committee Chair for Teaching and Scholarly Activities Committee 2016-09-01 - 2018-05-31
  • Committee Member for Centennial Steering Committee/Historical Subcommittee 2015-07-15 - 2017-06-30
  • Committee Chair for Curriculum Implementation Committee 2011-09-01 - 2014-05-31
  • Committee Member for Academic Integrity Board 2010-01-01 - 2015-12-31