Photo: Center for the Study of The Great Ideas / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Public records list Mortimer J. Adler as a philosopher, writer and university teacher. Mortimer J. Adler was born on December 28, 1902 in New York City, New York, United States. Death is recorded on June 28, 2001, at the age of 98. Schooling on record includes Columbia University. Listed accolades include National Humanities Medal, St. Louis Literary Award (1978), Charles Frankel Prize (1990) and 2 more.
My Take
Mortimer J. Adler earns my deep respect as a philosopher who refused to lock knowledge away in the academy. Rooted in the Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions, he taught at Columbia and Chicago and chaired the board of Encyclopaedia Britannica, yet his lasting gift to me is How to Read a Book, a generous guide to thinking harder about what we read. I love his conviction that serious ideas belong to ordinary people, not just specialists. That democratic faith in learning feels increasingly precious. He died in 2001, but the habits of mind he championed still teach anyone willing to listen.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Mortimer J. Adler
- Name (Japanese)
- モーティマー・アドラー
- Reading
- もーてぃまー・あどらー
- Born
- December 28, 1902 – June 28, 2001
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Tiger
- Origin
- New York City, New York, United States
- Occupation
- philosopher / writer / university teacher / educator / television presenter
2. Background
- University
- Columbia University
Awards & achievements
- National Humanities Medal
- 1978 St. Louis Literary Award
- 1990 Charles Frankel Prize
- 1976 Aquinas Medal
- John Jay Award
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Mortimer J. Adler born?
Born December 28, 1902.
When did Mortimer J. Adler die?
Died June 28, 2001, aged 98.
Where was Mortimer J. Adler from?
Mortimer J. Adler was from New York City, New York, United States.
What did Mortimer J. Adler do?
Mortimer J. Adler worked as philosopher, writer, university teacher, educator, television presenter.
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