William B. Hesseltine

William Hesseltime
Born(1902-02-21)February 21, 1902
DiedDecember 8, 1963(1963-12-08) (aged 61)
Academic background
Alma materWashington and Lee University (BA)
University of Virginia (MA)
Ohio State University (PhD)
Doctoral advisorArthur Charles Cole
Academic work
InstitutionsUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Notable studentsKenneth M. Stampp
Benjamin Quarles
Frank Freidel
Richard N. Current
Stephen E. Ambrose
T. Harry Williams
Russel B. Nye

William Best Hesseltine (February 21, 1902 – December 8, 1963) was an American historian and politician. As a historian and professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for nearly three decades, Hesseltine's field of expertise was mid-19th century American history, especially the Civil War, Reconstruction Era and American South. He also became known as the mentor of a generation of American historians, many of whom also won prizes for their writing.