John Erskine

John Erskine (1879–1951) was an American educator, author, and musician who made significant contributions to literature and academia. Born in New York City, Erskine earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University and served as an English professor at Amherst College and later at Columbia University. He was instrumental in developing the General Honors Course, which laid the foundation for the influential Great Books movement. Additionally, Erskine served as the first president of the Juilliard School of Music from 1928 to 1937 and was a director of the Metropolitan Opera Association .LitTree+2Tiểu sử+2+2Hymnary+3Columbia C250+3+3

Erskine authored over 100 works, including novels, essays, and criticism. His notable essay, The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent (1915), emphasizes the importance of intelligence as a virtue in itself, stating, "We really seek intelligence not for the answers it may suggest to the problems of life, but because we believe it is life,—not for aid in making the will of God prevail, but because we believe it is the will of God. We love it, as we love virtue, for its own sake, and we believe it is only virtue’s other and more precise name" . His works often explored the intersection of intellect, virtue, and human experience.+1Prabook+1Amazon+6Wikiquote+6Quotes Cosmos+6

Erskine's reflections on life and intellect continue to resonate. He remarked, "Truth is not always in a well, but it's always worth the search," highlighting the value of the pursuit of knowledge . Additionally, he observed, "Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing," underscoring the purity and universality of music as an art form . His legacy endures through his contributions to education, literature, and the arts.BookeyBrainyQuote+2Goodreads+2WordHelp+2