Burton Edward Feldman

Background

Burton Feldman was born on May 3, 1926, in Albany, New York, United States.

Education

In 1949, Feldman received a Bachelor of Arts from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and then a Master of Arts in English from Columbia University in 1954.

He then moved on to the University of Chicago to both teach and work on his Doctor of Philosophy, which he received in 1965. During his time in Chicago, Feldman studied under Leo Strauss, a political philosophy professor, and became friends with Mircea Eliade, a Romanian author, and scholar of religion.

Career

Burton Edward Feldman was a lecturer in both literature and philosophy at the University of Chicago from 1957 to 1962 before joining the University of Denver in 1965. He taught English there until his retirement in 1998. Feldman also served as Director of Undergraduate Honors in English from 1968 to 1974, and Director of Graduate Studies in English from 1980 to 1984.

From 1970 to 1975 he served as an editor of the Denver Quarterly.

Feldman published ''The Rise of Modern Mythology: 1680-1860'' in 1972 and in 2000 "The Nobel Prize: A History of Genius, Controversy, and Prestige."

Achievements

• Burton Feldman is remembered as the author of "The Nobel Prize: A History of Genius, Controversy, and Prestige." He presented a history of the prize itself, from its origins after the death of Alfred Nobel in 1896, along with descriptive commentary about the various award winners and their accomplishments.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Nobel Prize: A History of Genius, Controversy, and Prestige

    (Founded 100 years ago by the inventor of dynamite, the No...)

    2000
  • The Rise of Modern Mythology, 1680-1860 1972

Views

Feldman offered his analysis of how the Nobel Prize evolved into the prestigious honor it is today and the relative worthiness of various recipients over the years. Feldman also pointed out that, despite the original mission to reward the most deserving candidates, the selection process has several times been blemished by political considerations.

Connections

In 1953 Burton married Margaret Mary Gildea.

Wife:

Margaret Mary Gildea Feldman

Friend:

Mircea Eliade

References

• Contemporary Authors New Revision Series, vol. 212
  2011