Russell Kirk
Russell Kirk: A Life of Conservative Thought and Literary Excellence
Full Name and Common Aliases
Russell Amos Kirk was born on October 19, 1918, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. He is often referred to by his initials RAK.
Birth and Death Dates
Kirk lived a long and fulfilling life, passing away on April 22, 1994, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Russell Kirk was an American author, philosopher, literary critic, and conservative commentator. He held dual citizenship in both the United States and Ireland.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a small town in Vermont, Kirk developed a strong appreciation for literature and history. His family's home, which dated back to 1795, played host to many notable figures of the time, including Calvin Coolidge. This environment nurtured Kirk's interest in politics and intellectual pursuits.
Kirk attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota before transferring to Dartmouth College, where he graduated with honors in 1940. After completing his studies, he went on to earn a Master's degree from Duke University in 1942. During World War II, Kirk served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy.
Major Accomplishments
Kirk is best known for his influential work in conservative thought and literature. He was a prominent figure in the development of modern conservatism in America, alongside other notable thinkers such as William F. Buckley Jr. His writings often explored the importance of tradition, community, and individual responsibility.
In 1953, Kirk published _A Conservative Manifesto_, which solidified his position as a leading voice in conservative circles. He also served as the editor of _Modern Age_ magazine from 1957 to 1985, using this platform to promote classical liberal thought.
Kirk's literary endeavors included numerous books on history, philosophy, and literature. Some notable works include:
_The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Eliot_ (1953)
_Eliot and His Age: T.S. Eliot's Moral Imagination in the Twentieth Century_ (1971)
_The Roots of American Order_ (1974)Notable Works or Actions
Throughout his career, Kirk remained committed to promoting conservative ideas through various forms of media and public engagement. He was a prolific writer, publishing over 40 books on topics ranging from literature to philosophy.
Kirk's dedication to education led him to accept positions at several institutions, including:
Oriel College, Oxford University (1963-1965)
* Hillsdale College in Michigan (1957-1964)
Impact and Legacy
Russell Kirk's impact on conservative thought and literary culture cannot be overstated. His work continues to influence contemporary debates on politics, philosophy, and literature.
Kirk's emphasis on the importance of tradition, individual responsibility, and community has inspired generations of thinkers and leaders. His literary contributions have also had a lasting effect on American intellectual life.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Russell Kirk is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful commentary on politics, philosophy, and literature. His work continues to resonate with readers seeking thoughtful perspectives on the human experience.
Kirk's commitment to conservative thought has earned him recognition as one of the most influential thinkers in American history.
Quotes by Russell Kirk
Russell Kirk's insights on:
The true natural rights of men, then, are equal justice, security of labor and property, the amenities of civilized institutions, and the benefits of orderly society.
Some ‘separation’ zealots would expunge any vestige of religious observance in public schools. Many of the same anti-religious fanatics would like to wipe out of existence all church-related schools, by regulation or taxation, so that universal ignorance of the life of spirit should prevail.
The issue of environmental quality is one which transcends traditional political boundaries. It is a cause which can attract, and very sincerely, liberals, conservatives, radicals, reactionaries, freaks, and middle-class straights.
To the modern politician and planner, men are the flies of a summer, oblivious of their past, reckless of their future.
Because “we human beings are imaginative by nature, we cannot choose to live by the routine of the ant-heap. If deprived of the imagery of virtue” – imaginative depictions of the truly good life – “we will seek out the imagery of vice.
Locke contended that government originates out of the necessity for protecting property.
Besides, the conflict is not really between royalty and democracy. It is between both and plutocracy, which, having destroyed the royal power by frank force under democratic pretexts, has bought and swallowed democracy.
Life is for action, and if we desire to know anything, we must make up our minds to be ignorant about much.
The mass of mankind, Burke implies, reason hardly at all, in the higher sense, nor ever can: deprived of folk-wisdom and folk-law, which are prejudice and prescription, they can do no more than cheer the demagogue, enrich the charlatan, and submit to the despot.
The resources of nature, like those of spirit, are running out, and all that a conscientious man can aspire to be is a literal conservative, hoarding what remains of culture and of natural wealth against the fierce appetites of modern life.