George Fredrickson--Writer and Change Agent

You've probably never heard of George Fredrickson, the 73-year-old historian who died last week. That's understandable. He never made quite the headlines of such truly important figures as Paris Hilton or Kanye West. Still, Fredrickson managed a few useful things in his life, notably writing six books. But more important than a handful of books was the impact those books had. George Fredrickson, over a long and productive career, made a difference for the better on racial understanding in the United States. No, he didn't win a Grammy and few people asked for his autograph, but this man took pen in hand and helped people to understand one of the most intractable issues of our lifetimes. That's a life well spent in my book. You can read a remembrance of the man in the New York Times.