Max Lerner
Max Lerner
Full Name and Common Aliases
Max Lerner was a renowned American journalist, columnist, and scholar of the 20th century.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 23, 1902, in Riga, Latvia (then part of the Russian Empire), Max Lerner passed away on June 5, 1992, in New York City.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Lerner was a naturalized American citizen and practiced journalism, writing, and teaching as his primary professions. He was also a prominent public intellectual and advocate for social justice.
Early Life and Background
Max Lerner's early life was marked by significant events that shaped his worldview. Orphaned at the age of 10 after his father's death in World War I, he moved to the United States with his mother in 1912. The family settled in New York City, where Max attended high school and later enrolled at Columbia University.
Early Career and Education
Lerner's academic pursuits led him to study literature and philosophy under notable scholars of the time. His involvement in student politics and activism sparked a lifelong interest in social issues and reform. During his college years, he began writing for various publications, including _The New Republic_, where he would later become a prominent contributor.
Major Accomplishments
As a journalist, Lerner's work spanned several decades, with notable stints at the _New York Post_ and _PM_ magazine. His writing tackled pressing issues of his time, such as civil rights, labor relations, and international politics. He was also an accomplished author, publishing books like America As a Civilization (1957) and The Unfinished Country: A Story of American Democracy (1959).
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his writing, Lerner played a significant role in shaping public opinion through his lectures and teaching positions. At the University of California, Berkeley, he served as a professor of English literature, where he encouraged critical thinking and social responsibility among students.
Impact and Legacy
Max Lerner's impact on American society extends beyond his body of work. As an advocate for social justice and reform, he influenced generations of thinkers, writers, and activists. His commitment to civic engagement and intellectual inquiry has left a lasting legacy in the world of journalism, academia, and public service.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Max Lerner's enduring presence in contemporary discourse can be attributed to his unique blend of intellectual curiosity, social conscience, and literary talent. As a writer, teacher, and activist, he exemplified the power of engaged citizenship and critical thinking in shaping society. His ideas continue to resonate with readers seeking guidance on issues like democracy, equality, and the human condition.
His work serves as a testament to the transformative potential of journalism, education, and public engagement when combined with courage, conviction, and a commitment to social justice.
Quotes by Max Lerner
Max Lerner's insights on:
A politician wouldn't dream of being allowed to call a columnist the things a columnist is allowed to call a politician.
America shudders at anything alien, and when it wants to shut its mind against any man’s ideas it calls him a foreigner.
Science itself is a humanist in the sense that it doesn’t discriminate between human beings, but it is also morally neutral. It is no better or worse than the ethos with and for which it is used.
Despite the success cult, men are most deeply moved not by the reaching of the goal but by the grandness of the effort involved in getting there – or failing to get there.
A politician wouldn’t dream of being allowed to call a columnist the things a columnist is allowed to call a politician.
Some of the more fatuous flag-waving Americans are in danger of forgetting that you can’t extract gratitude as you would extract a tooth; that unless friendship is freely given, it means nothing and less than nothing.