Isabel Paterson
Isabel Paterson: A Pioneering Journalist and Author
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Isabel Paterson was born as Margaret Isabel MacPherson on October 10, 1880. She is often referred to by her pen name, Isabel Paterson.
Birth and Death Dates
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October 10, 1880 - November 8, 1961
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Paterson was a Canadian-American journalist, author, and philosopher. Her writing spanned various genres, including non-fiction, fiction, and poetry.
Early Life and Background
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Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Paterson's early life was marked by tragedy when her mother died during childbirth. She spent much of her childhood with relatives and later moved to the United States. Paterson developed a passion for writing at an early age and began working as a journalist in New York City.
Major Accomplishments
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Isabel Paterson made significant contributions to American journalism and literature. Some of her notable accomplishments include:
She was one of the first women to work as a financial writer, covering Wall Street news for the _New York Tribune_.
Paterson founded the _American Mercury_, a magazine that gained popularity for its progressive views on politics and social issues.
Her literary criticism, particularly her reviews of F. Scott Fitzgerald's works, are still studied today.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works by Isabel Paterson include:
The God of the Machine, a collection of essays that explored the relationship between technology and human society.
_The Human Scale_, an analysis of urban planning and its impact on modern life.
Her poetry collections, which showcased her mastery of various forms and styles.
Impact and Legacy
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Paterson's legacy extends far beyond her writing. She was a trailblazer for women in journalism, paving the way for future generations. Her progressive views on politics, social issues, and technology have influenced many notable thinkers and authors.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Isabel Paterson is widely quoted and remembered due to her:
Innovative approach to journalism, which combined in-depth analysis with engaging storytelling.
Fierce commitment to social justice and her willingness to challenge prevailing opinions on politics and culture.
* Insightful commentary on technology's impact on modern society, which remains relevant today.
Paterson's life serves as a testament to the power of determination and creativity. Her work continues to inspire readers and writers alike, cementing her place in American literary history.
Quotes by Isabel Paterson
Isabel Paterson's insights on:
If Charles F. Kettering or Thomas Alva Edison or Henry Ford had been put to work digging ditches under duress, one could calculate approximately how much energy or work could have been got out of them. Left to their own devices, as they were, it is impossible to say how much energy they actually released into production.
People mostly do as they like, and that would be fine if they’d let other people do the same.
Another “advanced” educational method does not mark examination papers for their accuracy; instead, grades are given indicating that the child has done well in relation to his capacities. That is, the teacher assumes divine omniscience, and pretends to know the child’s innate capacities absolutely, by some supernal means, instead of judging the specific result of a specific examination.
Not uncommonly one hears some romantic young woman say, ‘Oh, I would give anything to be a writer.’ But she would not; and ‘anything’ is not enough. One must give everything.
Fear and want are subjective; and poverty is the absence of wealth. If it were promised that from the hour of his birth no man should ever again stand in his naked skin, who is to produce the clothes? who is to have such absolute power over every person? The only condition in which no one can experience poverty, want, or fear, is that of rigor mortis. The dead neither want nor fear.
Production is profit; and profit is production. They are not merely related; they are the same thing. When a man plants potatoes, if he does not get back more than he put in, he has produced nothing.
The objection to profit is as if a bystander, observing the planter digging his crop, should say: “You put in only one potato and you are taking out a dozen. You must have taken them away from someone else; those extra potatoes cannot be yours by right.” If profit is denounced, it must be assumed that running at a loss is admirable. On the contrary, that is what requires justification. Profit is self-justifying.
The humanitarian wishes to be a prime mover in the lives of others. He cannot admit either the divine or the natural order, by which men have the power to help themselves. The humanitarian puts himself in the place of God.
Most of the harm in the world is done by good people, and not by accident, lapse or omission.