Irving Babbitt
Irving Babbitt (August 2, 1865 – July 15, 1933) was an American academic and
literary critic, noted for his founding role in a movement that became known as the
New Humanism, a significant influence on literary discussion and
conservative thought in the period between 1910 and 1930. He was a
cultural critic in the tradition of
Matthew Arnold and a consistent opponent of
romanticism, as represented by the writings of
Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Politically he can, without serious distortion, be called a follower of
Aristotle and
Edmund Burke. He was an advocate of classical humanism but also offered an ecumenical defense of religion. His
humanism implied a broad knowledge of various moral and religious traditions. His book ''
Democracy and Leadership'' (1924) is regarded as a classic text of political conservatism. Babbitt is regarded as a major influence over American cultural and political conservatism.
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