Today In History: John Dewey Was Born

Did you know that influential American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey was born this day, October 20th, 1859 in Burlington, Vermont? The third of fourth sons to Archibald Dewey and Lucia Artemisia Rich, John Dewey attended public schools in his hometown before enrolling at the age of 15 years at the University of Vermont. He went on to earn a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 1884, after which he was hired as an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan. Four years later he left with his family to begin teaching as a philosophy professor at the University of Minnesota. Dewey's career took him to the University of Chicago to head up the philosophy department, while also serving as Director of the School of Education. There he founded the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in the Hyde Park neighborhood which served children, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. In 1904 he went East to Columbia University where he was a professor of philosophy, and also taught in a unique position at Teachers College, Columbia University. He was one of the first seven professors to constitute the Department of Educational Research at Teachers College -- retiring eventually in 1930.

As advocate of progressive education, Dewey believed in learning through doing, with a deep faith in democracy and "education as the fundamental method of social progress and reform". The founder of the intellectual movement known as pragmatism, and prolific writer, he published approximately 40 books, in addition to 700 articles. Dewey profoundly influenced philosophy and practice throughout the world, especially in the East, where he travelled to China and Japan and delivered hundreds of lectures during a two-year sabbatical from Columbia University and Teachers College, Columbia University. To this day, Dewey is widely read, and his teachings, a signifiant component of higher education curriculum.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Celebration of Dr. John Dewey's Birthday: Many Prominent Officials Gather To Do Him Honor. (1919, Oct 22). The Peking Leader (1918-1919)

• Bust Of Dr. John Dewey Presented To Columbia. (1928, Nov 10). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962)

• Krotch, J.W. (1929, Oct 20). The Philosophy Of John Dewey. New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962)

• Grattan, B. C. H. (1939, Nov 05). John Dewey On Democracy: Our Most Eminent Philosopher''s Hope For Human Society. New York Times (1923-Current File)

• John Dewey, At 85, Defends Doctrines: Views Butler's Recent Attack On Progressive Education As 'Childish Point-Of-View'. (1944, Oct 20). New York Times (1923-Current File)

• Fine, B. (1949, Oct 19). John Dewey At 90 To Get $90,000 Gift: Philosopher Plans To Devote Fund From Admirers Over World To School Causes the Decries All the 'Fuss' Routine Tomorrow To Include Usual Work and Play With Two Adopted Children. New York Times (1923-Current File)

• Eisenhower Pays Tribute To John Dewey At Rally. (1949, Oct 23). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962)

• John Dewey, 91, Has Visitors On His Birthday. (1950, Oct 21). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962)

• John Dewey Hailed At Birthday Fete. (1950, Apr 05). New York Times (1923-Current File)

• Dr. John Dewey Dead At 92; Philosopher a Noted Liberal: The Father Of Progressive Education Succumbs in Home To Pneumonia. (1952, Jun 02). New York Times (1923-Current File)

• John Dewey Fete Set: Columbia To Mark Birth Of Philosopher At Meeting. (1959, Oct 18). New York Times (1923-Current File)

• Hechinger, F (1959, Oct 18). Education In Review: John Dewey's' Philosophy Of Education and the Issues Of the Day. New York Times (1923-Current File)

Tips:

• See John Dewey's books at the Gottesman Libraries by doing an advanced author search in Educat+, the catalog.

• Check out archival material relating to John Dewey in Pocketknowledge, the digital archive of Teachers College, Columbia University.

• See additional archival collections on John Dewey in OCLC's Archive Grid, containing millions of records for primary source material held in archives, libraries, museums, and historical societies throughout the world.

• Cremin, Lawrence A.; David A. Shannon; and Mary Evelyn Townsend. A History of Teachers College, Columbia University. New York: Columbia University Press, 1954. e-book

Images:

• Photograph of the Bust of John Dewey. Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University.

• Special News Slide, Courtesy of Gottesman Libraries

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