He was considered a leading scholar of modern Indian history and played a seminal role in the introduction of South Asian studies into US college and secondary education curricula.
In addition to his academic work, Embree made significant contributions to peace efforts between India and Pakistan as a member of the Kashmir Study Group and the Council on Foreign Relations, and acted as a consultant to the US diplomatic and intelligence communities.
[1] He has been described as a "tireless advocate for greater understanding between the US and India"[2][3] who was also known for his seminal insights into the complex relationship of religion and nationalism that have influenced religious scholarship in this country.
[4] Embree was born in the small village of Sunnyside, near Port Hawkesbury, on the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he spent his childhood.
He was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada in 1946, and subsequently was awarded a fellowship to pursue advanced studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
He chaired the history department and served in a number of other administrative posts at Columbia, including Acting Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs.
He returned to India frequently for study trips, and for two years served as Cultural Counselor in the US Embassy at Delhi during the administration of US President Jimmy Carter.
[8] One of the citations of which he was most proud, however, was Columbia University's Mark Van Doren Award (1985), a student-selected commendation to a professor "who has distinguished himself in scholarship and teaching and who possesses...humanity, devotion to the truth, and inspiring leadership.