TUCKER, Louis Leonard “Len”
Of Cambridge, formerly of Wellesley, died peacefully on March 18, at 96 years of age. Born in Rockville, CT to Russian immigrants, Len became the first of his family of six to receive an education beyond grade school. Len went on to receive his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in
Early American History from the University of Washington. He held teaching fellowships at UC Davis and William & Mary, served as Executive Director of the Cincinnati Historical Society, Assistant Commissioner of Education and State Historian of New York, New York Bicentennial Commissioner and finished his career as Director of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1977-1997.
During his 20-year career as Director of the Society, Len and his multitalented staff made themselves and the vast MHS collection of primary sources, available to researchers in many fields, historians, writers and filmmakers. During and prior to his years at the Society, Len continued his own scholarship, more than thirty professional journal articles and an abundant number of book reviews of American History. Len was also the author of nine books. One of his last, “The Massachusetts Historical Society - A Bicentennial History, 1791-1991, was described by Harvard scholar, Bernard Bailyn as a “fascinating, witty, droll, at times hilarious, account of the transformation of a small social club of Boston gentlemen, The Saints, into a national institution for historical research.”
Len’s parents were first generation Americans with limited English and financial means to survive The Great Depression. As a child, Len’s thirst for knowledge and an ability to read at a very young age opened the door to opportunities. The Rockville Public Library became a second childhood home, where he spent countless hours reading and fostering what would become his lifelong passion for education and American history. Athletics opened a second door to exiting the streets of Rockville. Under the wing of Coach Frank Geissler, Len excelled at baseball and basketball, while “Coach” guided him on both his athletic and academic pursuits. Len and Coach remained lifelong friends. Billiards became a natural sport for Len and provided him the funds to survive the Depression, by hustling games in the small mill city.
As the “local champ”, Len was invited to serve as the foil in exhibitions with pool legends, Willie Mosconi and Charlie Peterson. Len enlisted in the Army in 1948, but baseball remained central to his life. Len played second base and shortstop for several semiprofessional teams, the U.S. Army’s Fort Lewis team, the University of Washington, the Alaska Baseball League and was drafted by the Boston Braves. Realizing the level of skill and commitment required to pursue professional baseball, Len decided to reorient his goals towards academia. However, he remained active in athletics, playing competitive tennis, racquetball and handball throughout his life. He did not retire his tennis racket until he was in his 90s.
Len was a member of the Tavern Club, St. Botolph Club, American Association of State and Local History, Colonial Society, B&T Club and served on numerous historical committees and boards.
Len is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carolyn; son, Lance Tucker and daughter-in-law, Sheila; daughter-inlaw, Carol Oja; grandchildren, Victoria, Zoe, Wynn and Emma; and greatgrandson, Fletcher. Len was predeceased by his wife, Beverley M. (Jones) Tucker; and his son, Mark T. Tucker
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Mentoring and supporting young scholars was important to Len and an activity he pursued throughout his career and in his retirement. Please consider a donation to the Louis Leonard Tucker Alumni Fellowship, at the Massachusetts Historical Society, www.masshist.org