Morrie Schwartz

Morris S. Schwartz (b. December 20, 1916 at New York City, d. November 4, 1995 at Newton, Massachusetts) was an American educator. He gained posthumous fame as subject of the book Tuesdays With Morrie, published in 1997.

Related Topics:
December 20 - 1916 - New York City - November 4 - 1995 - Newton, Massachusetts - Tuesdays With Morrie

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Schwartz grew up in the Jewish tenements in New York City. He took his undergraduate degree from City College in New York, and received his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1946 and 1951 respectively. He wrote three books on mental health in the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, he began teaching at Brandeis University, in the sociology department. Among his students was future sportswriter Mitch Albom. Schwartz continued to teach at Brandeis into his 70s, until a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis made it too difficult for him to continue.

Related Topics:
City College - University of Chicago - Mental health - Brandeis University - Mitch Albom - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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After seeing Schwartz on Nightline discussing his illness, Albom found his old mentor, and they collaborated on Tuesdays with Morrie during Schwartz's final days in 1995. The book was published in 1997 and has spent more than 6 years on the USA Today best seller list. It was made into a TV movie in 1999, with Jack Lemmon playing the role of Schwartz.

Related Topics:
Nightline - USA Today - Jack Lemmon

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His personal epitaph was "A Teacher to the Last."

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