June 28

Born in 1844 in Brighton, Carpenter studied at Cambridge but rejected the Anglican ministry in favor of socialism. A disciple of John Ruskin, he championed labor rights, vegetarianism, and communal living. His poetry blended romanticism with social critique, offering a visionary Utopian outlook. In 1908, he published The Intermediate Sex, one of the first modern works advocating for homosexual emancipation. Carpenter’s ideas influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and shaped early 20th-century social movements.

Mortimer Jerome Adler was born in New York City in 1902 and became a leading figure in promoting liberal education. He earned fellowships at Columbia and the University of Chicago before collaborating with Robert Maynard Hutchins on the Great Books of the Western World series. Adler authored bestsellers like How to Read a Book and Ten Philosophical Mistakes, making complex ideas accessible to general readers. He served as a consultant to Encyclopaedia Britannica and advocated for philosophical discussion in public education. His work influenced both academic circles and popular culture, leaving a lasting impact on how philosophy is taught. Adler continued writing and lecturing until his death in 2001, remembered for his dedication to lifelong learning.