Smith, Huston (b. 1919)

Huston Smith is a public intellectual known for his work on comparative religion, notably for his book The World's Religions. Throughout his career, Smith has sought to educate the English-speaking world about religions, to foster respect for religious traditions, and to dialogue with modern Western science.

[Page 1188]Smith was raised by Methodist missionary parents in a rural town near Suzhou, China. In addition to the Christianity of his parents, he was introduced to Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and indigenous traditions. After primary education in China, he attended college in the United States. At the University of Chicago, he adopted the naturalistic theology of his mentor, Nelson Wieman, and married Wieman's daughter, Eleanor Kendra Wieman.

After graduating, Smith taught at Denver University, Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri), Massachusetts Institute ...