Gertrude Himmelfarb

Date of Birth: August 8, 1922

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 30, 2019

Biography

Gertrude Himmelfarb, also known as Bea Kristol, was a prominent American historian known for her extensive work on Victorian-era Britain. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she became a leading intellectual figure, particularly in the fields of culture, politics, and history. Himmelfarb earned her undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and later completed her Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. She authored numerous influential books, including “The Idea of Poverty,” “Victorian Minds,” and “The Roads to Modernity.” Her work often focused on the moral and intellectual history of the 19th century, offering critical perspectives on social and political issues. Himmelfarb was married to Irving Kristol, a noted journalist and political commentator, and was the mother of William Kristol, a political analyst and commentator.

5 Interesting Facts about Gertrude Himmelfarb

1. Gertrude Himmelfarb was a prominent member of the intellectual movement known as “neoconservatism.”

2. She was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2004 by President George W. Bush for her exceptional contributions to the field of history.

3. Himmelfarb was a fellow of the British Academy, an honor rarely bestowed on American scholars.

4. She argued for the importance of moral and ethical standards in public life, drawing on her extensive study of Victorian values.

5. Her husband, Irving Kristol, was often referred to as the “godfather” of neoconservatism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gertrude Himmelfarb

1. “The past is not dead; it is not even past.”

2. “History not used is nothing, for all intellectual life is action, like practical life, and if you don’t use the stuff — well, it might as well be dead.”

3. “The great achievement of the Victorian period was not that it solved the problem of poverty, but that it brought it to the forefront of public consciousness.”

4. “If you are going to sin, sin against God, not against the bureaucracy. God will forgive you, but the bureaucracy won’t.”

5. “Democracy is always an unfinished experiment, testing the capacity of each generation to live freedom nobly.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gertrude Himmelfarb’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $2 million, primarily derived from her extensive writing, academic positions, and lectures.

Children

Gertrude Himmelfarb and Irving Kristol had two children: 1. William Kristol – A political analyst and commentator, co-founder of the political magazine The Weekly Standard. 2. Elizabeth Nelson – Not as publicly known as her brother, she has maintained a more private life.