God and Man at Yale
Encyclopedia
God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of “Academic Freedom” is a book published in 1951 by William F. Buckley, Jr.
, who eventually became a leading voice in the American conservative movement
in the latter half of the twentieth century.
Buckley wrote the book based on his undergraduate experiences at Yale University
. In the book, he criticized Yale and its faculty for "forcing" liberal ideology on its students. He criticized individual professors by name for their trying to break down students' religious beliefs through their teaching. Buckley also states in the book that Yale was denying its students any sense of individualism
by making them embrace the ideas of liberalism
.
, writing that it "chang[ed] the course of his life" and that the famous Life
editorial writer had acted out of "reckless generosity." Buckley went on to be an active force in the conservative movement through the political magazine he started, National Review
, and his television show Firing Line
. The book and its author played a crucial role in tying together the different factions of the arising conservative movement
to form a potent political force.
George Will
called the book a "a lovers' quarrel with his alma mater."
William F. Buckley, Jr.
William Frank Buckley, Jr. was an American conservative author and commentator. He founded the political magazine National Review in 1955, hosted 1,429 episodes of the television show Firing Line from 1966 until 1999, and was a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. His writing was noted for...
, who eventually became a leading voice in the American conservative movement
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
in the latter half of the twentieth century.
Buckley wrote the book based on his undergraduate experiences at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. In the book, he criticized Yale and its faculty for "forcing" liberal ideology on its students. He criticized individual professors by name for their trying to break down students' religious beliefs through their teaching. Buckley also states in the book that Yale was denying its students any sense of individualism
Individualism
Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that stresses "the moral worth of the individual". Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance while opposing most external interference upon one's own...
by making them embrace the ideas of liberalism
Social liberalism
Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...
.
Reviews and legacy
God and Man at Yale received mixed reviews when it was first published. Many American academics and pundits underestimated the ultimate impact that the book and Buckley would have on American society, thinking that it would quickly fade into the background. Quite the opposite happened, as Buckley used it as a launching pad into the public eye. Buckley himself credited the attention his book received to the "Introduction" written by John ChamberlainJohn Chamberlain (journalist)
John Rensselaer Chamberlain was an American journalist, historian of business and the economy, and literary critic, dubbed "one of America’s most trusted book reviewers."-Early life:...
, writing that it "chang[ed] the course of his life" and that the famous Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
editorial writer had acted out of "reckless generosity." Buckley went on to be an active force in the conservative movement through the political magazine he started, National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
, and his television show Firing Line
Firing Line
Firing Line was an American public affairs show founded and hosted by conservative William F. Buckley, Jr. Its 1,504 episodes over 33 years made Firing Line the longest-running public affairs show in television history with a single host...
. The book and its author played a crucial role in tying together the different factions of the arising conservative movement
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
to form a potent political force.
George Will
George Will
George Frederick Will is an American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winner best known for his conservative commentary on politics...
called the book a "a lovers' quarrel with his alma mater."
See also
- Godfrey Hodgson, The World Turned Right Side Up: A History of Conservative Ascendancy in America (Boston: Houghton MifflinHoughton MifflinHoughton Mifflin Harcourt is an educational and trade publisher in the United States. Headquartered in Boston's Back Bay, it publishes textbooks, instructional technology materials, assessments, reference works, and fiction and non-fiction for both young readers and adults.-History:The company was...
, 1996), pp. 75–77 - “William Buckley.” American Decades CD-ROM. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. (Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005)
External links
- The Revolt against the Establishment: God and Man at Yale at 50, by Austin W. Bramwell, The Intercollegiate Review, Fall 2001.
- Denis BoylesDenis BoylesDenis Boyles is a writer, editor, former university lecturer and the author/editor of several books of poetry, travel/history, criticism, practical advice and essays, including Design Poetics , The Modern Man's Guide to Life , African Lives , Man Eaters Motel , A Man's Life: The Complete...
, God, Man, Buckley, and Me, National ReviewNational ReviewNational Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
, Feb 29, 2008.