Henry George:

A Great Name Among the World's Social Philosophers

William Lyon Phelps

[Originally appearing as a syndicated column by the author.
Reprinted from Land and Freedom, July-August, 1934]

Progress and Poverty was published in 1879. I can remember what a tremendous sale it had in the early eighties, and how everyone was talking about it. In the year 1886-87, when I was a senior at Yale, Prof. Arthur T. Hadley (later president of Yale), then professor of political economy, offered an entire course in that book, and a large number of undergraduates selected it. There were lively discussions in the classroom, and Hadley's lectures were stimulating and intellectually provocative of argument. We all enjoyed the course.

When I was a schoolboy in Hartford, Henry George came to the city to deliver a lecture on Moses. It was called "Moses The Great Hebrew Statesman." The speaker was introduced by the pastor of the Unitarian Church, which held its services in Unity Hall. In introducing Henry George, he mentioned the famous book, praised the author for his skill and courage and eloquence, and said finally "I now have the honor of presenting to you Mr. " and then forgot his name. When it was apparent that he could not remember it, scores of persons in the audience shouted it. The lecture was fine, and I recommend readers to look it up in printed form, as it must be among his works.

The fiftieth anniversary of its appearance, 1929, was marked by a special commemorative edition; and the book has been translated into all the European languages. His other works have also had so large a sale that it has been said that his writings on political economy have sold more copies than those of all other authors put together.

A friend writes me that John Dewey said, in his "An Appreciation of Henry George:" "His is one of the great names among the world's social philosophers. It would require less than the fingers of two hands to enumerate those who from Plato down rank with him. ... No man, no graduate of a higher educational institution, can consider himself an educated man in social thoughts unless he has some first-hand acquaintance with the theoretical contribution of this great American thinker."

Henry George was quite unselfish, indeed a noble character and he unwillingly consented to run for Mayor of New York. He died suddenly during the campaign. Both friends and foes mourned his death.