Oliver Griffin majored in European history as an undergraduate at Yale College. He subsequently spent a year at a university in Freiburg, Germany, before commencing graduate study in German history at Harvard University. His dissertation examined perceptions of Russia in German military leadership between 1871 and 1914. He recently joined the faculty after teaching at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Professor Griffin's academic interests and teaching fields include European history since 1500, the Holocaust, and genocide. Professor Griffin has been known to regale students with credible impressions of various and sundry characters drawn from popular culture, starting with his soul-mate, Jedi Master Yoda.