Abraham Nasatir was born in 1906 in Santa Ana, California. He entered UC Berkeley at the age of 14, and received his PhD in history at age 21. While studying at Berkeley he met his future wife, Ida Hirsch, an English student also attending the school. After marrying in 1929, the couple moved to San Diego where Nasatir began a 50-year teaching career at San Diego State College. Focusing on his fields of Spanish border and Mississippi valley history, and Gold Rush history, Nasatir published 14 books and and numerous articles, establishing himself as a national expert on these subjects. He also served as vice-consul for Paraguay and Ecuador. As an Orthodox Jew, he was a leader and educator of the Jewish community. Nasatir Hall on the SDSU campus is named for him. Doctor Nasatir retired in 1974 and died in 1991. Names mentioned during the interview include: Morris Nasatir, Sarah Ester Hurwitz Nasatir, Ida Hirsch Nasatir, Julius Nasatir, Frances Nasatir, George Nasatir, Vierling C. Kersey, Herbert Eugene Bolton, William C. Binkley, Karl C. Leebrick, L. J. Paetow, Edward M. Sait, Lewis Lesley, Leslie Brown, William Spence Robertson, and Mary Ross.
