Ariel Durant

Date of Birth: May 10, 1898

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 25, 1981

Biography

Ariel Durant, born Chaya Kaufman on May 10, 1898, in Proskurov, Russian Empire (now Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine), was an American author and historian. She is best known for co-authoring “The Story of Civilization,” an 11-volume series with her husband, Will Durant. Ariel and Will Durant’s collaborative work was highly influential in making historical knowledge accessible to the general public. They received the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1968 for “Rousseau and Revolution,” the 10th volume of the series. Ariel was known for her meticulous research and ability to weave compelling narratives, enhancing her husband’s philosophical approach to history. She passed away on October 25, 1981, in Los Angeles, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Ariel Durant

1. Ariel Durant was born in the Russian Empire and emigrated to the United States at the age of three.

2. She married Will Durant when she was just 15 years old, and they remained married for nearly 70 years.

3. Ariel and Will Durant were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 for their contributions to literature and history.

4. The Durants’ “The Story of Civilization” series spanned over four decades of research and writing.

5. Ariel was a self-taught scholar who mastered multiple languages to assist in her historical research.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ariel Durant

1. “It is good a philosopher should remind himself, now and then, that he is a particle pontificating on infinity.”

2. “Education is the transmission of civilization.”

3. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

4. “The love we have in our youth is superficial compared to the love that an old man has for his old wife.”

5. “History is mostly guessing; the rest is prejudice.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Ariel Durant, along with her husband Will Durant, is estimated to be around $10 million at the time of their respective deaths, largely from their successful book series and various awards.

Children

Ariel Durant and Will Durant had one daughter, Ethel Benvenuta Durant, who was born in 1919. Ethel pursued a career in education and writing, following in her parents’ footsteps to some extent.