Irving Kristol

Date of Birth: January 22, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: September 18, 2009

Biography

Irving Kristol was an influential American editor, writer, and intellectual known as the “godfather” of neoconservatism. Born on January 22, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, Kristol hailed from a Jewish family and was educated at City College of New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later went on to graduate from the University of Chicago. Kristol’s career spanned several decades, during which he co-founded and edited several significant publications, including “The Public Interest” and “The National Interest.” Kristol’s writing and editorial work were pivotal in shaping the intellectual and political discourse in America, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century. He played a crucial role in the development and promotion of neoconservatism, a political movement advocating for free-market capitalism, a strong national defense, and a proactive foreign policy. Kristol was married to historian Gertrude Himmelfarb, and together they had two children, including William Kristol, a prominent political analyst and commentator. Irving Kristol passed away on September 18, 2009, leaving behind a legacy of influential ideas and publications.

5 Interesting Facts about Irving Kristol

1. Irving Kristol co-founded “The Public Interest,” a prominent quarterly magazine of social and political commentary.

2. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2002.

3. Kristol’s book “Neoconservatism: The Autobiography of an Idea” is considered a seminal work in the field.

4. He was a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

5. Kristol was instrumental in popularizing the term “neoconservatism” and defining its core principles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irving Kristol

1. “A neoconservative is a liberal who has been mugged by reality.”

2. “Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions – it only guarantees equality of opportunity.”

3. “There are different kinds of truths for different kinds of people: there are truths appropriate for children; truths that are appropriate for students; truths that are appropriate for educated adults.”

4. “The danger facing American Jews today is not that Christians want to persecute them but that Christians want to marry them.”

5. “The liberal imagination has its limits. It cannot imagine the future. It cannot even imagine the past.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Irving Kristol’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his influence and contributions to political thought were invaluable and far-reaching.

Children

Irving Kristol had two children: 1. William Kristol – A political analyst and commentator, co-founder of The Weekly Standard. 2. Elizabeth Nelson – Lesser known in the public domain, more information about her is relatively private.