• Born: 1913
• Birthplace: New York, NY
• Died: 1992

Philosopher and critic William Barrett is one of those largely responsible for bringing and explaining existentialism to America in his book Irrational Man (1958). In the book, Barrett summarized the works of many of the great existentialists, explaining their positions and integrating the work into Western philosophy.

Barrett's book The Illusion of Technique: A Search for Meaning in a Technological Civilization (1979) discussed the effects technology has had on humanity.

Barrett was born and lived his whole life in New York, NY. He studied at the City College of New York and Columbia University, and taught philosophy at New York University from 1950-1979. He was an associate editor with the Partisan Review from 1943-1953, but moved gradually to the right in his political thinking. Barrett published his memoirs, The Truants: Adventures among the Intellectuals in 1982.

Most Famous Works

• Irrational Man (1958)
• The Illlusion of Technique (1979)
• The Truants: Adventures Among the Intellectuals (1982)
• Death of the Soul (1986)

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