Highet, Gilbert (1906–1978)

Scottish classicist. He popularized classical literature in a number of ways, writing the books The Classical Tradition (1949) and The Art of Teaching (1950); serving as chief literary critic for Harper's Magazine (1952–54); judge of the Book-of-the-Month Club (1954–78); and as host of weekly radio talks, People, Places, and Books (1952–59). He had more than 1,000 to his name, including a translation of Werner Jaeger's Paideia. He was married to the novelist Helen MacInnes. Highet was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He taught at Oxford University, England (1932–37), where he took a double first (1932), before going to Columbia University (1937), where he was an exceptionally popular teacher until his retirement (1972).