Alexander Meiklejohn

Date of Birth: February 1, 1872

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: December 17, 1964

Biography

Alexander Meiklejohn was a distinguished American philosopher and educator, renowned for his advocacy of free speech and his contributions to the philosophy of education. Born on February 1, 1872, in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, Meiklejohn moved to the United States with his family as a child. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University in 1893 and earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1897. Meiklejohn began his academic career at Brown University, where he taught philosophy and later served as Dean. He became the President of Amherst College in 1912, where he implemented progressive educational reforms that emphasized critical thinking and democratic governance. His tenure at Amherst was marked by both acclaim and controversy, leading to his resignation in 1923. Following his departure from Amherst, Meiklejohn continued his work in education and philosophy, founding the Experimental College at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1927. The Experimental College was an innovative two-year program that emphasized interdisciplinary study and intellectual freedom, reflecting Meiklejohn’s belief in education as a means to foster democracy. Throughout his life, Meiklejohn was a staunch advocate for civil liberties, particularly freedom of speech. His book “Free Speech and Its Relation to Self-Government” (1948) is considered a seminal work in the field. He continued to write and lecture until his death on December 17, 1964.

5 Interesting Facts about Alexander Meiklejohn

1. Alexander Meiklejohn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

2. He was instrumental in establishing the concept of academic freedom in American higher education.

3. Meiklejohn was a vocal opponent of McCarthyism, defending the rights of individuals to free expression even during the height of the Red Scare.

4. He was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and served on its board of directors.

5. Meiklejohn’s educational philosophy was deeply influenced by the works of John Dewey and other progressive educators.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alexander Meiklejohn

1. “The freedom of ideas is the soul of democracy.”

2. “Education should be a process of stimulating and arousing intellectual curiosity and developing the habit of questioning.”

3. “The First Amendment is not primarily about the rights of speakers, but the rights of listeners.”

4. “A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.”

5. “Self-government means that every citizen has the right to study, discuss, and debate all issues of public concern.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Alexander Meiklejohn’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as his life was primarily devoted to academia and public service rather than personal financial gain.