Irving Babbitt

Date of Birth: August 2, 1865

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: July 15, 1933

Biography

Irving Babbitt was an influential American academic and literary critic born on August 2, 1865, in Dayton, Ohio. He is best known for his role as a leading figure in the New Humanism movement and his critique of Romanticism, advocating instead for a return to classical ideals and disciplined imagination. Babbitt’s works profoundly influenced 20th-century literary criticism and educational philosophy. He spent a significant part of his academic career at Harvard University, where he taught French literature and comparative literature. His major works include “Rousseau and Romanticism” (1919) and “Democracy and Leadership” (1924). Babbitt’s rigorous approach to literature, ethics, and society emphasized moral restraint, cultural continuity, and the importance of classical learning.

5 Interesting Facts about Irving Babbitt

1. Irving Babbitt co-founded the New Humanism movement with Paul Elmer More, emphasizing a return to classical literature and moral values.

2. He was a critic of Romanticism, believing that it promoted unchecked individualism and emotional excess.

3. Babbitt’s critique extended to contemporary education systems, which he felt neglected essential classical principles and discipline.

4. He was an advocate for a balanced approach to imagination, which he termed “disciplined imagination,” arguing that creativity should be tempered by moral and ethical considerations.

5. Babbitt’s ideas influenced several key figures in literature and philosophy, including T.S. Eliot and George Santayana.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irving Babbitt

1. “The inner check is not a negation but a positive principle.”

2. “The true object of education is to form character.”

3. “The humanities are the study of human beings at their best.”

4. “To be modern is not necessarily to be progressive.”

5. “A man is as free as he chooses to make himself, never an atom freer.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Irving Babbitt’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as an academic, his financial success was modest compared to contemporary literary figures.