Jacob Shurman (1864 - 1942) was an American educator who was educated at Acadia College in Nova Scotia and the University of London. Shurman then spent some time studying in Europe. He was professor of English literature, political economy and psychology at Acadia College in 1880-1882, of metaphysics and English literature at Dalhousie College, Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1882-1886, and of philosophy (Sage professor) at Cornell University in 1886-1892. Schurman served as United States Ambassador to Greece in 1912-13, Ambassador to China between 1921 and 1925, and then as Ambassador to Germany between 1925 and 1929. The Balkan Wars 1912-1913 was published in 1916. This work begins "This War of Many Nations had its origin in Balkan situation. It began on July 28 with the declaration of the Dual Monarchy to the effect that from that moment Austria-Hungary was in a state of war with Servia. And the fundamental reason for this declaration as given in the note or ultimatum to Servia was the charge that the Servian authorities had encouraged the Pan-Serb agitation which seriously menaced the integrity of Austria-Hungary and had already caused the assassination at Serajevo of the Heir to the Throne."