CHARLES EDWARD MERRIAM

BIRTH AND DEATH

Birth: 11/15/1874     Death: 1/8/1953

OCCUPATION

scientist

BIOGRAPHY SUMMARY

Charles Edward Merriam Jr. (1874–1953) was an American professor of political science at the University of Chicago, founder of the behavioral approach to political science, a trainer of many graduate students, a prominent intellectual in the Progressive Movement, and an advisor to several US Presidents. Upon his death, The New York Times called him one of the outstanding political scientists in the country.

NOTABLE WORK

WHY THEY MATTER

Charles Edward Merriam was intellectually unique for pioneering the behavioral approach to political science, emphasizing the empirical study of politics over abstract theories. His influence extended beyond academia as a prominent figure in the Progressive Movement and advisor to multiple US Presidents. Merriam's legacy lies in his commitment to rigorous research and practical application of political science principles in shaping public policy.

FAMOUS QUOTE

The development of Americanpolitical theorieshas received surprisingly little attention from students of American history. Even the political ideas of the Revolutionary fathers and the tenets of such important schools as those represented by Jefferson and Adams have not been carefully analyzed or put in their proper perspective. The political theory of the controversies over slavery and the nature of the Union has generally been presented from the partisan point of view, while recent tendencies in political thought have received no adequate notice.p. vii, Preface, lead paragraph

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