George SantayanaGeorge Santayana, born Jorge Agustin Nicolas Ruiz de Santayana y Borras on December 16, 1863, was a Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist. Raised in the United States from the age of eight, he identified as American while retainig his Spanish citizenship throughout his life. He held a professorship at Harvard University but left the position at the age of 48 to live permanently in Europe. Known for his blend of philosophical insight and literary elegance, Santayana explored topics such as aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and cultural criticism. Though an atheist, he maintained a lifelong respect for the Catholic traditions and cultural values rooted in his Spanish heritage. His philosophical outlook often merged rational skepticism with poetic reflection, and he became widely recognized for his concise, impactful expressions of complex ideas. Santayana's writings gained influence both within and beyond academic circles, positioning him as a significant figure in modern Western thought. He died on September 26, 1952, in Rome and was buried in the Spanish Pantheon at the Campo di Verano. Read More Read Less