Corliss Lamont

Date of Birth: March 28, 1902

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 26, 1995

Biography

Corliss Lamont was an influential American philosopher, socialist, and humanist whose work spanned several decades in the 20th century. Born into a wealthy family, Lamont was educated at prestigious institutions and dedicated his life to promoting humanistic values, civil liberties, and social justice. He was notably involved in debates and legal battles during the McCarthy era and was a staunch advocate for the First Amendment. Lamont’s philosophical work often centered on humanism and its application to social and political issues. He served as the director of the American Civil Liberties Union and the president of the American Humanist Association. In addition to his activism, Lamont authored several significant books, including “The Illusion of Immortality” and “Freedom of Choice Affirmed,” which have had lasting impacts on humanist philosophy.

5 Interesting Facts about Corliss Lamont

1. Corliss Lamont was blacklisted during the McCarthy era due to his socialist beliefs.

2. He was a plaintiff in a landmark Supreme Court case, Lamont v. Postmaster General, which struck down a statute allowing the government to interfere with the delivery of “communist political propaganda.”

3. Lamont was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union’s board of directors for over 20 years.

4. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia University.

5. Lamont was an outspoken critic of both capitalism and Soviet-style communism, advocating instead for a democratic socialism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Corliss Lamont

1. “The earth is the cradle of mankind, but one cannot live in the cradle forever.”

2. “Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”

3. “The fullest development of the individual is the necessary condition for the fullest development of society.”

4. “True freedom is the right to say something that others don’t want to hear.”

5. “The path of social reform and the path of spiritual development are not two divergent roads but one and the same.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Corliss Lamont’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, largely inherited from his affluent family.

Children

Corliss Lamont did not have any children. He was married twice, first to Margaret Hayes Irish Lamont and later to Beth Keehner Lamont, but he did not father any offspring.