Furniss was the Mershon Professor of Political Science at Ohio State University.
He received all of his degrees from Yale University: a Bachelor of Science in 1940, a Master of Arts in 1945, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1947.
In college, Furniss wrote a thesis on the Politics of Turkey, under the direction of Arnold Wolfers.
Upon graduating, Furniss began his teaching career at Princeton University, where he rose to the rank of full Professor by 1960.
On August 17, 1966, Furniss died at Riverside Methodist Hospital after complications from surgery, three days after his birthday and only months after his father received the inaugural Wilbur Cross Medal.