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Irwin Edman

1896 – 1954

American philosopher

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About Irwin Edman

Lived 1896 – 1954 (aged 57). Irwin Edman was an American philosopher.

Irwin Edman (November 28, 1896 – September 4, 1954) was an American philosophy professor.

Biography Irwin Edman was born in New York City to Jewish parents. He grew up in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, adjacent to Columbia University, with which he was to be affiliated his entire adult life. Edman spent his high-school years at Townsend Harris Hall, a New York high school for superior pupils. He then attended Columbia University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and earned his bachelor's degree in 1917 and his Ph.D. in 1920. During his student years at Columbia he was a member of the Boar's Head Society. He became a professor of philosophy at Columbia, and later was head of the philosophy department. In 1945 the United States Department of State and the Brazilian government sponsored a series of lectures he gave in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1953, Edman was elected vice president of the National Institute of Arts and Letters (later succeeded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters).

Edman published books on philosophy as well as poetry and some fiction. His books include Philosopher’s Holiday, Richard Kane Looks at Life, Four Ways of Philosophy, Philosopher's Quest, and Arts and the Man: An Introduction to Aesthetics.

He died of a heart attack on September 4, 1954, in New York.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Columbia University, Townsend Harris High School
Employers
Wesleyan University, Harvard University, Columbia University
Awards
Doctor honoris causa from the University of Aix-Marseille

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Irwin Edman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Irwin Edman?

American philosopher (1896-1954)

When was Irwin Edman born?

Irwin Edman was born on 28 November 1896 in New York City.

When did Irwin Edman die?

Irwin Edman died on 4 September 1954.

What was Irwin Edman's occupation?

Irwin Edman was a philosopher.

What nationality was Irwin Edman?

Irwin Edman was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Irwin Edman

· Wikidata: Q6075030

· DBpedia: Irwin Edman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Irwin Edman. https://biography.guide/irwin-edman/

MLA: "Irwin Edman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/irwin-edman/.

Chicago: "Irwin Edman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/irwin-edman/.

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