More About the Author
Francis Graham Wilson (November 26, 1901-May 24, 1976), was a political philosopher and eminent political science professor. Born near Junction, Texas, Wilson attended public schools and graduated from the University of Texas (B.A., 1923; M.A., 1924). He continued his graduate studies at the University of California (1924-1925) and Stanford University where he earned a Ph.D. in political science in 1928. His dissertation, entitled "The Law and Theory of the International Labor Organization," was both a study in organizational and political theory. A version of the dissertation was published as Labor in the League System (1934).
As a teacher and author Wilson contributed substantially to the revival of the study of political thought, especially American political theory, during the middle period of the 20th Century. A covert to Roman Catholicism, Wilson was a perceptive student of the Christian contribution to the study of politics. He taught on the political science faculties of Fresno (California) State College, 1925-1926; Stanford University, 1926-1928; University of Washington, 1928-1939; University of Illinois, 1939-1967, serving as chair of the department from 1953-1957; and Long Island University, 1967-1970.
Wilson published nearly 200 articles on public opinion, American political theory, the American constitutional tradition, conservatism and Spanish and Latin American political thought. Most of these publications appeared in major scholarly journals, suggesting his influence upon the political science profession. In addition to his many articles, Wilson was the author of six books, including The Elements of Politics (1936), a theoretical introduction to the study of politics directed against the pursuit of "political authoritarianism"; The American Political Mind (1949), a erudite survey and assessment of American political theory that remains a seminal work in the field; The Case for Conservatism (1951), an argument for a conservatism grounded in tradition, rather than ideology; A Theory of Public Opinion (1962); and Political Thought in National Spain (1967).
Wilson served as member of the Executive Committee of the American Political Science Association (1937-1940); Pi Sigma Alpha; Phi Beta Kappa; Chairman, Catholic Commission on Intellectual and Cultural Affairs; and as the President of Accuracy in Media and the Committee on Constitutional Integrity. Wilson's papers are housed in the University of Illinois Archives.
As a result of the revival of interest in the scholarship of Wilson, a collecton of his essays, Political Philosophy and Cultural Renewal (Transaction/Rutgers, 2001), and Order and Legitimacy (Transaction/Rutgers, 2004), have been published. Several national academic conferences have been held to examine his contribution to contemporary social and political thought. The thoughtful reader can find more information about Wilson from visiting www.francisgrahamwilson.com.
