Gilbert Arthur Highet (1906–78) was a Scottish-American classicist, literary historian, and educator dedicated to making classical literature accessible. A Columbia University professor for over three decades, he championed the humanities, blending scholarship with engaging public discourse. His work highlighted Greek and Roman thought’s lasting influence on Western literature and culture.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Highet studied at Glasgow University and Balliol College-Oxford, excelling in classical studies. He became a fellow at St. John’s College-Oxford, before moving to the U.S. in 1938 to teach Greek and Latin at Columbia University. His tenure was briefly interrupted by British Army service in World War II, but he returned and remained at Columbia until retiring in 1971.
Highet popularized classical texts, hosting a radio program and judging for the Book-of-the-Month Club. Notable works include The Classical Tradition: Greek and Roman Influences on Western Literature (1949,) Poets in a Landscape (1957,) and The Art of Teaching (1950.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Gilbert Highet
The mind never need stop growing. Indeed, one of the few experiences which never pall is the experience of watching one’s own mind and how it produces new interests, responds to new stimuli, and develops new thoughts, apparently without effort and almost independently of one’s own conscious control.
—Gilbert Highet
Topics: Mind, The Mind
A period of high civilization is one in which thoughts fly freely from mind to mind, from one country to another-yes, from the past into the present.
—Gilbert Highet
Topics: Civilization
These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves.
—Gilbert Highet
Topics: Book, Books
A teacher must believe in the value and interest of his subject as a doctor believes in health.
—Gilbert Highet
Topics: Education
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