Irving Howe

Date of Birth: June 11, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 5, 1993

Biography

Irving Howe was a prominent American literary and social critic, historian, and editor. Born into a Jewish immigrant family in New York City, Howe grew up in the Bronx and attended City College of New York. He became an influential voice on the American left, known for his deep analyses of literature, politics, and Jewish culture. Howe co-founded and edited the socialist journal “Dissent,” which provided a platform for intellectual debate and progressive thought. His works include “World of Our Fathers,” a comprehensive history of Eastern European Jewish immigrants in America, and “Politics and the Novel,” where he explored the interplay between literature and political ideology. Howe’s writing was characterized by his commitment to democratic socialism and his ability to blend rigorous scholarship with accessible prose.

5 Interesting Facts about Irving Howe

1. Irving Howe was awarded the National Book Award in History for his book “World of Our Fathers.”

2. He was a co-founder of the magazine “Dissent” in 1954, which continues to be a significant publication in leftist intellectual circles.

3. Howe was a staunch critic of both Stalinism and McCarthyism, advocating for democratic socialism.

4. He taught at Brandeis University and the City University of New York, influencing generations of students.

5. Howe collaborated with Eliezer Greenberg on several anthologies of Yiddish literature, helping to preserve and promote Jewish cultural heritage.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irving Howe

1. “The knowledge that makes us cherish innocence makes innocence unattainable.”

2. “Literature must always be about the tension between the individual and the society.”

3. “The American writer, for better or worse, is still a citizen of the United States.”

4. “Literary criticism should arise out of a debt of love.”

5. “Socialism for me is not a goal but a direction.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Irving Howe’s net worth was not publicly documented, but as an academic and intellectual, his wealth was primarily in his contributions to literature and political thought rather than financial earnings.