An uncommon scholar

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the elements of the life of Professor Stanley C. Hollander (1919‐2004), a marketing scholar extraordinaire.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 28 marketing scholars who had been students, colleagues, and friends of Professor Hollander were asked to contribute to the author's personal knowledge of him. Selma Hollander (his wife) was interviewed. Stan Hollander's own written work was reviewed for insight into his characteristics.

Findings

A brief chronology of his life is provided as a framework within which his personal characteristics and relationships can be examined. The major contributors to his success as a person and scholar are first, the relationship with his wife, Selma; second, the characteristics of his intellect; and third, his fascination with the arts. The result was not only an uncommon scholar considered a giant in the field of marketing but also one who enabled many others through the sharing of his mind and his humor.

Originality/value

This work explores the man behind the body of scholarship and disciplinary development that is his legacy. He was an uncommon scholar.

Citation

Nason, R.W. (2009), "An uncommon scholar", Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 34-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/17557500910941556