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Will Durant(1885-1981)

  • Actor
  • Additional Crew
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Will Durant was the left-wing philosopher-historian who labored on his epic, multi-volume "The Story of Civilization" by himself, and then with his wife Ariel, for half a century. The son of French Canadian immigrants from Quebec, Durant first planned to study for the priesthood, but an interest in socialism and biology thwarted those plans. He became a teacher and a writer. "The Story of Civilization" evolved out of a series of pamphlets he wrote for the education of workers.

For "Rousseau and Revolution" (1967), the 10th volume of "The Story of Civilization," Will and Ariel Durant were awarded the Pulitzer Prize. They died within two weeks of each other in 1981.
BornNovember 5, 1885
DiedNovember 7, 1981(96)
BornNovember 5, 1885
DiedNovember 7, 1981(96)
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Known for

Diane Keaton and Warren Beatty in Reds (1981)
Reds
7.3
  • Witness
  • 1981
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
The Fall of the Roman Empire
6.7
  • Additional Crew
  • 1964
Rome in Madrid (1964)
Rome in Madrid
Short
  • Self(as Dr. Will Durant)
  • 1964
Bela Lugosi and Jack Mangan in Ship's Reporter (1948)
Ship's Reporter
TV Series
  • Self (1950)
  • 1948

Credits

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Actor



  • Diane Keaton and Warren Beatty in Reds (1981)
    Reds
    7.3
    • Witness
    • 1981

Additional Crew



  • The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    The Fall of the Roman Empire
    6.7
    • consultant
    • 1964

Personal details

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  • Official site
    • The Will Durant Foundation
  • Alternative name
    • Dr. Will Durant
  • Born
    • November 5, 1885
    • North Adams, Massachusetts, USA
  • Died
    • November 7, 1981
    • Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Spouse
    • Ariel DurantOctober 31, 1913 - October 25, 1981 (her death)
  • Other works
    Book: "The Story of Civilization". NOTE: Written with his wife Ariel Durant, this was an 11-volume series, with the first volume published in 1935 and the last published in 1975.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 1 Article

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 247-250. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
  • Quotes
    Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

FAQ

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  • When did Will Durant die?
    November 7, 1981
  • How old was Will Durant when he died?
    96 years old
  • Where did Will Durant die?
    Los Angeles, California, USA
  • When was Will Durant born?
    November 5, 1885
  • Where was Will Durant born?
    North Adams, Massachusetts, USA

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