The Pulitzer Prize for Biography was awarded to Ralph Barton Perry in 1936 for his two-volume study on the thought and character of William James. As a central figure in the New Realism movement, he spent the majority of his academic career at Harvard University, shaping discourse on naturalistic value theory and the philosophical foundations of democratic society.
Academic Formation and Career
Born in 1876 in Poultney, Vermont, Perry pursued his undergraduate studies at Princeton University before moving to Harvard for his M.A. and Ph.D. After holding teaching positions at Williams and Smith colleges, he returned to Harvard in 1902. He served as an instructor and assistant professor before becoming a full professor in 1913. In 1930, he was appointed Edgar Pierce Professor of Philosophy, a title he held until his retirement in 1946.
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Take the IQ test →Contributions to New Realism
Perry was a prominent advocate for the New Realism movement, which sought to establish a naturalistic approach to perception and knowledge. Influenced by his mentor William James, Perry edited the 1912 collection Essays in Radical Empiricism. His own philosophical output included influential texts such as The Approach to Philosophy and the 1912 collaborative work, The New Realism, which defined the intellectual program of the movement.
Social Philosophy and Later Lectures
Throughout his career, Perry explored the intersection of individual ethics and national ideals. In Puritanism and Democracy, published in 1944, he investigated the reconcilement of these two concepts in the American tradition. His later years were marked by significant public lectures, including the 1948 William W. Cook Foundation series and the Gifford Lectures in Glasgow, which formed the basis for his 1954 book, Realms of Value.
Fast facts
- Born: 1876, Poultney, Vermont
- Died: 1957, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Education: Princeton University and Harvard University
- Primary Employer: Harvard University
- 1936 Pulitzer Prize: Biography for The Thought and Character of William James
- Burial Site: Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Academic Leadership: President of American Philosophical Association eastern division (1920-1921)
- Marriage: Rachel Berenson, August 15, 1905
Questions readers ask
What major award did Ralph Barton Perry win?
He received the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1936 for his work on William James.
Where did Perry teach for most of his life?
He spent most of his career at Harvard University, serving as the Edgar Pierce Professor of Philosophy from 1930 to 1946.
Achievements
- Pulitzer Prize for Biography — 1936
- Held posts at Harvard University
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