John Dewey-Background Information

John Dewey (1859-1952) was an American psychologist, philosopher, educator, social critic and political activist. He was born in Burlington Vermont on October 20, 1859. Dewey graduated from the University of Vermont in 1879, and received his PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1884. He started his career at the University of Michigan, teaching there from 1884 to 1888 and 1889 to 1894, with a one year term at the University of Minnesota in 1888. In 1894 he became the chairman of the department of Philosophy, Psychology and Pedagogy at the University of Chicago. In 1899, John Dewey was elected president of the American Philosophical Association. Dewey taught at Colombia University from 1905 until he retired in 1929, and occasionally taught as professor emeritus until 1939. During his years at Colombia he traveled the world as a philosopher, social and political theorist, and educational consultant. Among his major journeys are his lectures in Japan and China from 1919-1921, his visit to Turkey in 1924 to recommend educational policy, and a tour of schools in the USSR in 1928. Of course, Dewey never ignored American social issues. He was outspoken on education, domestic and international politics, and numerous social movements. Among the many concerns that attracted Dewey's support were women's suffrage, progressive education , educator's rights, the Humanistic movement and world peace. Dewey died in New York City on June 1, 1952.
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