Auteur: George Herbert Palmer

George Herbert Palmer (1842–1933) was a distinguished American scholar, an educator, philosopher, and literary figure whose contributions spanned across different fields including ethics, education, and classical translation. With a career that was primarily based at Harvard University, Palmer exemplified the classical liberal education model and left his mark by serving as the Alford Professor of Natural Religion, Moral Philosophy, and Civil Polity. He was particularly known for his concise, yet thoughtful engagement with ethical issues, as illustrated in one of his significant works, “Altruism: Its Nature and Varieties” (1891), where Palmer dissects the concept of altruism with a sharp philosophical lens, contributing to an understanding of ethical motivation and human action. His approach in this book reflects his larger literary style—meticulous, articulate, and deeply reflective. Beyond philosophy, Palmer also gained recognition for his translations of classical works; among these, his translations of the works of Greek philosopher Plato stand out as significant scholarly achievements. During his lifetime, Palmer advocated for educational reforms and emphasized the importance of individual development and character building, which he believed were intrinsic goals of higher education. His legacy is preserved through his writings, which continue to resonate and exert influence in academic circles.