  Generally considered one of the most influential physicists in history, Albert Einstein’s (1879–1955) groundbreaking theories reshaped the scientific community’s view and understanding of the universe. He developed the special and general theories of relativity and won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. Alan Lightman is a novelist, essayist, […]

Simply Charly's Culture Insight

Einstein’s Dreams: Alan Lightman on the Life and Work of Albert Einstein

  Austrian-born English philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) is considered as one of the most influential although controversial thinkers of the 20th century. His work touched on topics such as ethics, logic, and language. Rom Harré is Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at Georgetown University and Emeritus Fellow of Linacre College at the University of Oxford. He […]

Language Rules: Rom Harré Talks About Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Philosophy of Language

  Widely considered as one of the top musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis (1926–1991) was a major force in jazz. He was not only a gifted trumpeter and composer, but also an innovator who created a nine-member band called the “nonet,” in which unconventional (in jazz) instruments like French horn and tuba were […]

‘Round Miles: Quincy Troupe on the Life and Music of Miles Davis

  Although some of his theories are still hotly debated, Sigmund Freud, (May 6, 1856–September 23, 1939) is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the realm of psychiatry and psychology. The Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist, who was allegedly the first to offer a comprehensive explanation of how human behavior is determined by the conscious and unconscious […]

Freud: Right or Wrong? Edward Erwin on Why Freud is Still Important

  John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946) was an influential British economist whose ideas on government intervention in the economy were considered to be both revolutionary and controversial. Nicholas Wapshott, author of Keynes Hayek: The Clash that Defined Modern Economics, shares his insight on why John Maynard Keynes Was “Ahead of His Time.” He joins us on Culture Insight to […]

Economy Class: Nicholas Wapshott Explains Why John Maynard Keynes Was “Ahead of His Time”

  Irish poet, dramatist, and prose writer, William Butler (W. B.) Yeats (1865–1939), is considered to this day as one of the greatest English-language poets of the 20th century. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. Paul Muldoon is the author of numerous books of poetry, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Moy Sand and Gravel. He is a […]

The “King of the Cats”: Paul Muldoon on the Life and Work of W. B. Yeats

  One of the most influential American inventors of all time, Thomas Edison (1847–1931) is responsible for the creation of several devices that shaped the face of modern technology. Most famous for his invention of the first practical light bulb, Edison was also a shrewd businessman who bridged the gap between invention and large-scale manufacturing. Possibly the […]

The Inventing Machine: Paul Israel on the Life and Work of Thomas Edison

  The third and final member of a chain of Athenian philosophers who would shape the foundation of Western philosophy, Aristotle (384 B.C.E.–322 B.C.E.) was a student of Plato, who would eventually go on to mentor Alexander the Great. Nicknamed “The Reader” by Plato, Aristotle’s writings on science, ethics, and politics dominated Western society for centuries […]

Standing on Aristotle’s Shoulders: David Roochnik on the Life and Work of Aristotle

  Best known as the wife of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill served as one of her husband’s closest confidantes, aiding him during his brightest moments as well as his darkest hours. During World War II, she led the Young Women’s Christian Association’s wartime efforts and also assisted in the Red Cross’s […]

Churchill’s Rock: Sonia Purnell on The Life and Times of Clementine Churchill

  Paul Dirac (1902–1984) was an English theoretical physicist and mathematician who was instrumental in the development of both quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics. In 1933, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger. Sir Michael Atiyah is one of the world’s greatest living mathematicians and is well known throughout the mathematical world. He […]

The Mathematical Artistry of Paul Dirac: Michael Atiyah on the Life and Work of Quantum Genius

  Austrian-born economist Friedrich Hayek was noted for his criticisms of the Keynesian welfare state and of totalitarian socialism which was laid out in his popular book The Road to Serfdom (1944). In 1974, he shared the Nobel Prize for Economics with Swedish economist Gunnar Myrdal. Nicholas Wapshott is the author of Keynes/Hayek: The Clash That Defined Modern […]

The Road to Hayek: Nicholas Wapshott on the Life and Work of Economist Friedrich Hayek

  Charles Darwin (1809–1882) laid the foundations of evolutionary biology through the process of natural selection, which he outlined in his seminal work, On the Origin of Species. John Darnton is a Pulitzer-prize winning reporter and best-selling novelist who has worked for The New York Times for over 40 years. His many books include Neanderthal, The Experiment, Mind Catcher, The Darwin […]

The Evolution of Charles Darwin: John Darnton on the Life and Work of the Father of Evolution

  The author of such literary classics as Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, James Joyce (1882 – 1941) was one of Ireland’s most celebrated novelists known for his avant-garde and often experimental style of writing. Michael Patrick Gillespie is Professor of English at Florida International University and the Director of the Center for the Humanities in an Urban Environment. He has […]

“Revealing Intimacy”: Michael Patrick Gillespie on James Joyce’s “Profound Sense of the Human Condition”

  Best known for his Incompleteness Theorem, Kurt Gödel (1906–1978) is considered one of the most important mathematicians and logicians of the 20th century. By showing that the establishment of a set of axioms encompassing all of mathematics would never succeed, he revolutionized the world of mathematics, logic, and philosophy. Janna Levin is a Professor of Physics and […]

Janna Levin On Kurt Gödel: Incompleteness Theorem Is Not Just A Numbers Game

  Arguably the most influential architect, designer, and urban planner of the 20th century, Swiss-born Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, 1887–1965), played a decisive role in the development of modern architecture representative of the industrial age. Kenneth Frampton is the Ware Professor of Architecture at Columbia University, and the author of several books including Modern Architecture: A Critical History, […]

A Life by Design: Kenneth Frampton on the Life and Work of Le Corbusier

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