History and Political Science
Ralph Nurnberger, Ph.D., is a widely acclaimed speaker who brings humor, current political insights, and historical background to his presentations. In addition to giving talks nationally and at The Smithsonian Institute, Professor Nurnberger has appeared as an analyst on television and radio programs. He has also spoken internationally and on a number of cruises. He has given presentations on a wide range of historical and political topics at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at FAU. Professor Nurnberger taught at Georgetown University for 38 years and was named Professor of the Year by the Graduate School of Liberal Studies in 2003.
Media Story
Some movie extras added something extra to films shot in Washington - by John Kelly, columnist (September 2, 2020)
Being an extra in a movie seems like the easiest job in the world: Just stand around and try not to look at the camera. But some extras need to have a little .?.?. extra.
In 1972, Ralph Nurnberger was a graduate student at Georgetown University competing in the finals of an intramural tennis championship. The casting director for “The Exorcist” happened to be walking by one day, scouting for people who looked as if they belonged on the campus.
Ralph was hired on the spot as a “skilled extra.” His task was to play tennis on the courts next to Lauinger Library while Lee Jay Cobb and Jason Miller walked by discussing the strange goings on in the Georgetown community, including the death of a priest. (The courts have since been replaced by dorms.)
“One of the players on the next court was Linda Tuero, who was an internationally ranked player,” wrote Ralph, of Arlington, Va. “Later, she married William Peter Blatty, who had written the novel that was the basis for the film.”
Ralph later taught at the university. “For many years, I invited my Georgetown students to have dinner at our home — so that we could have an off-campus discussion,” he wrote. “I usually also showed them my ‘30 seconds of fame.’?”
News Articles
The Dutch Golden Age, Tulip Mania and the Jews of Amsterdam
Amsterdam was the wealthiest city in Europe in the 17th century. In this one-time talk, Professor Ralph Nurnberger will discuss how the city achieved such prominence and how this affected its finances, unique canals, and its banking and trading systems. This, in turn, led its citizens to seek what they thought were profitable investments. Many invested in tulip bulbs. The collapse of “tulip bulb futures” was the first great capitalist “bubble,” and like so many bubbles that followed, this one destroyed the finances of many “investors.” The presentation will also focus on the great artists, scientists, writers and scholars who lived in Amsterdam in the 17th century. Finally, there will be a discussion of the Jews of Holland, beginning with the influx of Jews from Portugal. This will include such key figures as Baruch Spinoza and Anne Frank.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # F1R4 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursday, November 16 2017 |
| Time: | 7 - 8:30 PM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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