Lewis Mumford

Date of Birth: October 19, 1895

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 26, 1990

Biography

Lewis Mumford was a distinguished American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology, and literary critic. He was born in Flushing, Queens, New York City, and developed a profound interest in the relationship between human societies and their environments. Mumford is perhaps best known for his studies of cities and urban architecture, which he explored in depth in his seminal work, “The City in History” (1961), for which he won the National Book Award. His work often focused on the impact of technology on human life and the environment, advocating for a balance between modern technological advances and the preservation of humanistic values. Mumford’s career spanned several decades during which he wrote more than 30 books and numerous articles. He was an influential voice in urban planning, architecture, and the study of technology’s role in society. His ideas were often ahead of their time, emphasizing the need for sustainable development and community-oriented urban planning. Mumford’s contributions to the understanding of the socio-environmental impacts of technology and urbanization have left a lasting legacy in multiple academic fields.

5 Interesting Facts about Lewis Mumford

1. Lewis Mumford coined the term “Technics” to describe the interplay between society and technology.

2. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.

3. Mumford’s work “The City in History” won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 1962.

4. He was strongly influenced by the works of Patrick Geddes, a pioneering Scottish urban planner and biologist.

5. Mumford was a critic of the over-reliance on automobiles and advocated for public transportation and pedestrian-friendly urban designs.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lewis Mumford

1. “A day spent without the sight or sound of beauty, the contemplation of mystery, or the search for truth or perfection is a poverty-stricken day; and a succession of such days is fatal to human life.”

2. “The way people in the United States move about in automobiles and planes, they are often as far from the earth as if they lived on another planet.”

3. “Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers.”

4. “The clock, not the steam-engine, is the key-machine of the modern industrial age.”

5. “Restore human legs as a means of travel. Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lewis Mumford’s net worth was not a widely discussed aspect of his life, and there is no reliable information on his highest net worth achieved. His contributions were more intellectual and academic rather than financial.

Children

Lewis Mumford and his wife, Sophia Wittenberg, had two children: a son named Geddes Mumford, named after Patrick Geddes, and a daughter named Alison Mumford.