Mortimer Adler

Mortimer Jerome Adler (December 28, 1902 – June 28, 2001) was an American philosopher, educator, and prolific author who dedicated his life to making philosophy and classical literature accessible to ordinary people. Born in New York City, Adler earned his PhD in philosophy and spent much of his career at the University of Chicago, where he became a leading intellectual figure. He is best known for developing the Great Books program, an educational curriculum centered on reading and discussing the most influential works of Western civilization. Adler co-founded the Great Books of the Western World series, a monumental 54-volume collection, and edited it with Robert Maynard Hutchins. He authored over 50 books on philosophy, education, and ethics, including 'How to Read a Book,' which remains influential in literacy and critical thinking circles. Adler's philosophy emphasized that truth is universal and accessible, and that rigorous intellectual engagement with great works develops wisdom and virtue. A convert to Catholicism in his later years, his ideas bridged secular and religious thought. His legacy significantly shaped American adult education and the intellectual canon.