From a Gadfly to a Hornet: Academic Freedom, Humane Education, and the Intellectual Life of Joseph Kinmont Hart

We examine Hart’s peripatetic career as teacher, editor, journalist, lecturer, and public philosopher. It is biographical as well as an intellectual history of a fascinating character and prolific author.

Our goal is to resurrect Hart’s intellectual life in order to more deeply understand the significant issues he not only confronted, but endured. These issues primarily include academic freedom and humanizing education, with their direct links to community organizing and Danish folk schools—...