Dagobert D. Runes

Dagobert David Runes was a philosopher, author, and publisher born in Bukovina, then part of Austria-Hungary. He earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Vienna in 1924, studying under Moritz Schlick, a founder of the Vienna Circle. His early work, "The True Jesus or the Fifth Gospel," published in 1927, caused significant controversy, leading to his publisher's imprisonment and Runes's emigration to New York in 1928 due to fears of blasphemy charges.

In the United States, Runes became an influential editor of several periodicals, including "The Modern Thinker" and "Current Digest." He also directed the Institute for Advanced Education in New York. A significant contribution was his establishment of the "Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism." In 1941, he founded the Philosophical Library, a publishing house and spiritual organization. Throughout his career, Runes authored and edited numerous books covering philosophy, politics, education, Judaism, and poetry. He was acquainted with prominent figures of his time, including Albert Einstein and Alfred Adler, many of whom were exiles from Hitler's regime.

Born Dagobert David Runes in Zastavna, Bukovina, in 1902, he later pursued higher education in Vienna. He completed his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Vienna in 1924, under the guidance of Moritz Schlick, a key figure in the positivist movement known as the Vienna Circle. Runes's early philosophical explorations led him to publish "The True Jesus or the Fifth Gospel" in 1927. This book generated considerable controversy in Austria, resulting in legal repercussions for his publisher and prompting Runes to leave for the United States in 1928, fearing accusations of blasphemy.

Upon settling in New York, Runes established himself as a significant figure in American intellectual life. He took on editorial roles for publications such as "The Modern Thinker" and "Current Digest." His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found the Philosophical Library in 1941, which became a notable publishing house for scholarly works. He also played a role in launching the "Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism." Runes authored and edited a wide array of books spanning philosophy, politics, education, and Jewish thought, reflecting his diverse intellectual interests. His work often engaged with fundamental questions of existence and society.

During his time in New York, Runes interacted with a circle of intellectuals and artists, many of whom were refugees from Nazi Germany. Notable acquaintances included Albert Einstein, Alfred Adler, and Emil Ludwig. Runes's own literary output encompassed original works and extensive editorial projects. His writings and edited volumes, published primarily through the Philosophical Library, covered topics ranging from Spinoza and Benjamin Rush to broader themes like "The Hebrew Impact on Western Civilization" and "Of God, the Devil and the Jews." His poem "Gottes Wiederkehr" was even set to music by composer Arnold Schoenberg.