November 28

Victor Cousin was a leading French philosopher of the 19th century and a key figure in introducing German idealism to France. He founded the Eclectic school, advocating a synthesis of rationalism and empiricism. Appointed to the Collège de France, he shaped philosophical education and influenced generations of thinkers. He served as minister of education and championed academic reforms. His works on consciousness and moral philosophy secured his legacy as a pivotal scholar in European philosophy.

Friedrich Engels collaborated with Karl Marx to develop the foundations of Marxist theory. He funded and edited Marx's work, ensuring the publication of 'Das Kapital' after Marx's death. His own writings, such as 'The Condition of the Working Class in England', highlighted industrial-era social injustices. Engels's analysis of capitalism and class struggle shaped modern political movements worldwide. He remained an active voice in socialist circles until his death in 1895.

Henry Hazlitt began his career as a journalist and editorial writer, bringing economic analysis to a broad readership. In 1946, he published 'Economics in One Lesson', which became a foundational text for free-market economics. He served as an editorial writer for The New York Times and Newsweek, critiquing New Deal and Keynesian policies. Hazlitt's book 'The Failure of the New Economics' challenged prevailing economic theories of the time. A leading figure in the modern libertarian movement, he influenced thinkers like Milton Friedman with his clear, persuasive prose.