About Walter B. Pitkin
Lived 1878 – 1953 (aged 74). Walter B. Pitkin was an American writer, journalist, philosopher, university teacher, psychologist and aesthetician.
Walter Boughton Pitkin (February 6, 1878 – January 25, 1953) was an American author and university professor. He taught at Columbia University for 38 years, and he authored more than 30 books, including the 1932 best-selling book, Life Begins at Forty.
Biography Pitkin was born on February 6, 1878, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1900, and he attended the Hartford Seminary before studying in Europe at the Sorbonne University, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin.
Pitkin authored more than 30 books over the course of his career, How To Write Stories (1923) The Art Of Rapid Reading (1929) The Psychology Of Happiness (1929) A Short Introduction To The History Of Human Stupidity (1932) Life Begins At Forty (1932) Dealers in Death (1932) - a documentary film that he served as technical advisor for More Power To You! (1933) Let's Get What We Want! (1935) Capitalism Carries On (1935) Making Good Before Forty (1939) On My Own (1944) The Best Years: How to Enjoy Retirement (1946)
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Walter B. Pitkin?
American philosopher (1878-1953)
When was Walter B. Pitkin born?
Walter B. Pitkin was born on 6 February 1878 in Ypsilanti.
When did Walter B. Pitkin die?
Walter B. Pitkin died on 25 January 1953 in Palo Alto.
What was Walter B. Pitkin's occupation?
Walter B. Pitkin was a writer, journalist, philosopher, university teacher, psychologist and aesthetician.
What nationality was Walter B. Pitkin?
Walter B. Pitkin was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Walter B. Pitkin. https://biography.guide/walter-b-pitkin/
MLA: "Walter B. Pitkin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/walter-b-pitkin/.
Chicago: "Walter B. Pitkin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/walter-b-pitkin/.
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