Leo Strauss

Leo Strauss (September 20, 1899 – October 18, 1973), was a Jewish German-American political philosopher who has been greatly influential in America.

Life

Strauss was born in Kirchhain (near Marburg), Hesse, in Germany to Hugo Strauss and Jennie David.

Related Topics:
Marburg - Hesse

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He was a student at the famous Gymnasium Philippinum (from which also Johannes Althusius and Carl J. Friedrich graduated), and during student years he became a political Zionist, although this -- as well as his religious beliefs -- changed frequently during his youth and early adulthood. Strauss received his higher education within the German university system, notably at the Universities of Marburg, Freiburg, and Hamburg, where he took his PhD under Ernst Cassirer. Like many other philosophically-inclined German students of the time, he attended the lectures of Martin Heidegger.

Related Topics:
Johannes Althusius - Carl J. Friedrich - Zionist - Universities of Marburg - Freiburg - Hamburg - Ernst Cassirer - Martin Heidegger

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In 1932, Strauss married Marie (Miriam) Bernsohn in Paris, France. In 1934, he moved to England where, in 1935, he accepted a position at Cambridge University. In 1937, Strauss moved to the United States, where he became a Research Fellow in the Department of History at Columbia University. Between 1938 and 1948, he lectured in political science at the New School for Social Research. In 1944, he became a US citizen and from 1949 until 1968, Strauss served as a member of the faculty of the University of Chicago, chiefly as a professor of political philosophy.

Related Topics:
1932 - Paris - France - 1934 - England - 1935 - Cambridge University - 1937 - United States - Columbia University - 1938 - 1948 - Political science - New School for Social Research - 1944 - 1949 - 1968 - University of Chicago

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In Saul Bellow's quasi-biographical novel Ravelstein, (2001) the minor character Davarr is based on Strauss, while the central character of Ravelstein represents Strauss' protegé Allan Bloom.

Related Topics:
Saul Bellow - Ravelstein - 2001 - Allan Bloom

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