Leo Strauss was born on September 20, 1899, in Kirchhain, Germany, into a traditional Orthodox Jewish family. He grew up immersed in Jewish culture and heritage, which would later influence his philosophical and political beliefs. As a young man, he served in the German Army during World War I, experiencing firsthand the devastation and turmoil of war. After the war, he pursued his academic studies and earned his doctorate from the University of Hamburg.
In the early 1930s, as the Nazis rose to power in Germany, Strauss made the difficult decision to leave his homeland and seek refuge in the United States. He arrived in America as a political refugee, seeking safety and a new beginning. Despite the challenges of starting over in a foreign country, Strauss quickly established himself as a respected scholar and thinker in his new home.
Leo Strauss was a prolific writer and philosopher, best known for his critical works on metaphysics, epistemology, and Greek philosophy. His writings are complex and thought-provoking, delving into the nature of human existence, the role of government, and the pursuit of truth. Some of his most famous works include "Persecution and the Art of Writing," "Natural Right and History," and "The City and Man."
After obtaining his U.S. citizenship in the mid-1940s, Leo Strauss secured a professorship in political science at the University of Chicago. He became a respected and influential figure in academic circles, known for his incisive analysis and rigorous intellectual approach. His students included future politicians and leaders, such as Paul Wolfowitz, who would go on to serve as the U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary under George W. Bush.
Leo Strauss was a devoted family man, who married Marie Bernsohn and adopted both her child and his own sister's child. He found solace and joy in his family life, even as he grappled with the complexities of his philosophical and political beliefs. His upbringing in a traditional Jewish household instilled in him a deep sense of heritage and tradition, which he carried with him throughout his life.
Leo Strauss passed away on October 18, 1973, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual inquiry and philosophical exploration. His work continues to inspire and challenge scholars and thinkers around the world, as they grapple with the timeless questions of existence and truth that he so eloquently addressed in his writings.