Description

Description: Dewey sent this typed letter signed to Mr. Henry Hart of New York City on December 5, 1930. The letter reads in part: “I thank you and Dr. Brown as well for sending me a copy of his new book, and shall take an early opportunity to thank him personally. Your note came while I was in Europe, and I only returned day before yesterday. Dr. Barnes went over with me… His failure to reply to your letter was not due to any lack of interest in it. He showed it to me and was evidently much pleased with it.” The Dr. Barnes in the letter is more than likely Albert C. Barnes (1872-1951), Dewey’s close friend and collaborator, who founded the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey (1859-1952) was one of the most eminent American thinkers of his time. His theories, which encouraged classroom democracy and active participation in educational pursuits that held meaning and relevance in students’ lives, changed the way schools in the United States approached teaching and learning and are still highly influential today.

The recipient, Henry Hart, was an American writer (Dr. Barnes of Merion, 1963) and publisher who worked as Publicity Director for Scribner’s Sons, Editor-in-chief of Putnam’s Sons, an Associate Editor of Time and Fortune, the founding member and first editor of Films in Review and a founding member of Equinox Cooperative Press. He edited the American Writer’s Congress (1935) and was responsible for the English-translation publications of Thomas Mann’s works.

On a sheet of “Columbia University in the City of New York Department of Philosophy” imprinted stationery that measures: 5 1/4″ x 8″. Item #A01890

Condition: Mailing fold lines, otherwise very good condition.