Date of Birth: December 20, 1902
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: June 5, 1992
Biography
Max Lerner was a distinguished American journalist, educator, and author known for his insightful and often provocative commentary on politics, culture, and society. Born on December 20, 1902, in Minsk, Belarus (then part of the Russian Empire), Lerner immigrated to the United States with his family as a child. He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and went on to study at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1923. He later obtained a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Ph.D. in political science from the Brookings Graduate School of Economics and Government. Lerner’s career as a journalist began in the 1930s, and he quickly established himself as a prominent voice in American media. He wrote for various publications, including The Nation and The New Republic, before joining the New York Post, where he penned a widely-read column for several decades. In addition to his work as a journalist, Lerner was a prolific author, with notable works including “America as a Civilization” and “The Unfinished Country.” Throughout his career, Lerner was known for his liberal views and his ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible manner. He also served as a professor at several prestigious institutions, including Harvard University and Brandeis University, where he influenced generations of students with his teachings on political theory and American history.
5 Interesting Facts about Max Lerner
1. Max Lerner was a vocal critic of McCarthyism and an advocate for civil liberties during the Red Scare.
2. He served as an adviser to several U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.
3. Lerner’s book “America as a Civilization,” published in 1957, is considered a seminal work in American studies.
4. He was known for his ability to predict political trends and was often sought after for his insights on American politics.
5. Lerner received numerous awards for his work, including the George Polk Award for journalism.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Max Lerner
1. “The turning points in history are those moments when people stand up and demand to be counted.”
2. “We are all captives of the picture in our head – our belief that the world we have experienced is the world that really exists.”
3. “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist, but a possibilist.”
4. “The real sadness of fifty is not that you change so much but that you change so little.”
5. “When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Max Lerner’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a prominent journalist and author, he likely achieved considerable financial success, particularly through his book sales and speaking engagements.
Children
Max Lerner had three children: Michael Lerner, a well-known labor lawyer and social theorist; Sally Lerner, a sociologist; and Peter Lerner, a musician and teacher.
Relevant Links
1. [Max Lerner Biography – Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Max-Lerner
3. [Historical Perspectives: Max Lerner’s Contributions](https://www.history.com/topics/max-lerner
5. [Max Lerner Quotes – Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/13233.Max_Lerner