William James Durant, born on November 5, 1885, in North Adams, Massachusetts, emerged as a highly influential American historian, philosopher, and writer, renowned for his commitment to making history and philosophy accessible to a broad audience.

Durant’s journey from a modest background to a celebrated public intellectual was marked by a passion for knowledge, human understanding, and cultural synthesis, ultimately leading him to craft some of the most comprehensive works on civilization and philosophy in the 20th century. His works, especially those created in collaboration with his wife, Ariel Durant, have left an enduring impact on the landscape of popular history and philosophical thought.

Durant’s early life reflected his deep-seated love for learning. He attended Saint Peter’s College (now Saint Peter’s University) in Jersey City, New Jersey, and later Columbia University, where he studied philosophy under the tutelage of several prominent thinkers.

His education profoundly shaped his approach to scholarship, and Durant embraced a holistic vision of knowledge, seeing connections between philosophy, science, literature, and history that had previously been treated as separate disciplines. He began his career as a teacher, even spending some time as a teacher of philosophy at Seton Hall University, before eventually leaving academia to pursue a path of independent scholarship and writing.

One of Durant’s early successes came with the publication of The Story of Philosophy in 1926. Initially published as a series of pamphlets, the book aimed to demystify complex philosophical ideas and introduce them to general readers without sacrificing the depth of the subject. In The Story of Philosophy, Durant discussed the lives and ideas of key philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and Friedrich Nietzsche, and presented their contributions in a way that was both engaging and intellectually rigorous. The book became a best-seller, marking a significant moment in popularizing philosophy in the United States and solidifying Durant’s reputation as a leading public intellectual.

Following the success of The Story of Philosophy, Durant envisioned a broader project that would bring the history of civilization to life in a similarly accessible format. His goal was ambitious: to recount the story of human history from ancient to modern times across various civilizations, covering their achievements, challenges, and contributions to the global cultural heritage. This project took shape as The Story of Civilization, an 11-volume series that Durant began writing in 1935 and continued for four decades with the assistance and collaboration of his wife, Ariel Durant.

The series spanned a wide array of topics, exploring the history, philosophy, art, literature, and politics of various cultures, from ancient Mesopotamia to the French Revolution and beyond. Durant approached each civilization with respect and curiosity, examining how different cultures responded to the universal challenges of human existence, such as governance, morality, war, and scientific inquiry. The Story of Civilization was groundbreaking not only for its scope but also for Durant’s approach to history as a story of interconnected cultures, each contributing to a larger narrative. Durant believed in emphasizing the continuity of human experience, showing readers how the achievements and lessons of the past shape contemporary society.

Image: Ariel and Will Durant are pictured in the library of their Los Angeles home.

Durant’s work often underscored his philosophy of “total perspective,” an approach influenced by the philosopher Baruch Spinoza’s idea of viewing life “sub specie aeternitatis” or “from the perspective of the eternal.” Durant adapted this to “sub specie totius,” or seeing things “from the perspective of the whole.” He argued that understanding the “whole” of human civilization, with its triumphs and failures, allowed people to gain insights into contemporary challenges. This philosophy guided Durant’s writing and served as the foundation for his belief that historical knowledge could inform better decision-making and foster a more profound sense of human unity.

Durant’s dedication to bringing history to a popular audience was widely celebrated. His collaborative work with Ariel was recognized in 1968 when they received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction for the tenth volume of The Story of Civilization, titled Rousseau and Revolution. This volume focused on the transformative period of the French Enlightenment and the French Revolution, examining how figures like Jean-Jacques Rousseau influenced the shaping of modern democratic principles. Their contributions were further acknowledged in 1977 when both Durants received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the United States’ highest civilian honors, recognizing their influence on public knowledge and culture.

In addition to their historical contributions, Durant and his wife were noted for their unique working relationship. Ariel was integral to the research and writing process, contributing insights and edits that enriched each volume. Together, they approached their work with a shared vision of engaging and enlightening the public. Their relationship and collaborative efforts exemplified a rare partnership in intellectual history, with both individuals deeply committed to the idea of education as a tool for societal improvement.

Durant’s writing extended beyond his major historical works. He frequently lectured on topics of philosophy and history, always emphasizing the interrelation of ideas and events across time and cultures. In his later years, Durant also turned his attention to broader reflections on life and meaning. In The Lessons of History, a book co-authored with Ariel in 1968, he distilled the insights they had gathered from their years of historical study into lessons that applied to modern life, touching on themes of economics, politics, war, and the cyclical nature of history. This work offered a philosophical summary of their extensive research, providing readers with practical wisdom drawn from centuries of human experience.

Durant’s legacy is one of a historian and philosopher who believed passionately in the transformative power of knowledge. His works encouraged readers to view history not as a static record of past events but as a living body of knowledge that holds relevance for the present and future. Durant’s holistic approach to history, philosophy, and culture remains influential, and his work continues to inspire both scholars and general readers.

In essence, Durant sought to bridge the gap between academia and the general public, making history and philosophy accessible, engaging, and meaningful. His approach challenged the idea that these subjects were reserved for specialists, demonstrating that anyone with curiosity could benefit from understanding the thoughts, achievements, and lessons of those who came before. Through his dedication to a “total perspective” on human knowledge, Durant left a lasting impact on how history is understood and appreciated, inviting readers to see themselves as part of an ongoing story of civilization that connects all of humanity. His work stands as a testament to the value of broad, integrative thinking and the power of literature to shape public understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who co-authored The Story of Civilization with Durant?

William James Durant co-authored The Story of Civilization with his wife, Ariel Durant.

When was The Story of Civilization published?

The Story of Civilization was published between 1935 and 1975, spanning four decades.

What was Durant’s goal in writing The Story of Civilization?

Durant aimed to make historical knowledge accessible to the general public, blending scholarly research with a narrative style that brought history to life.

What other famous work did Durant write before The Story of Civilization?

Before The Story of Civilization, Durant wrote The Story of Philosophy (1926), which introduced complex philosophical ideas to a broader audience.

Image: A 1967 picture of Durant.

What impact did The Story of Philosophy have?

The Story of Philosophy helped popularize philosophy in America by making the ideas of great philosophers more approachable.

How did Durant view philosophy?

Durant saw philosophy as a “total perspective” that offered a holistic understanding of life, aiming to unify and humanize knowledge.

What phrase inspired Durant’s view of philosophy, and what does it mean?

Durant was inspired by Spinoza’s phrase sub specie aeternitatis, meaning “from the perspective of the eternal.” He adapted it to mean seeing things sub specie totius, or “from the perspective of the whole.”

What prestigious awards did Durant and his wife Ariel receive?

Durant and Ariel received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1968 for their work on Rousseau and Revolution, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.

What is Durant’s legacy in history and philosophy?

Durant’s legacy lies in his ability to bring history and philosophy to a wide audience, encouraging readers to see knowledge as interconnected and relevant to modern life.