Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Lewis Mumford Historian

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: United States
  • Born: Oct 19, 1895
  • Died: Jan 26, 1990

Lewis Mumford, KBE was an American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology, and literary critic. Particularly noted for his study of cities and urban architecture, he had a broad career as a writer. Mumford was influenced by the work of Scottish theorist Sir Patrick Geddes and worked closely with his associate the British sociologist Victor Branford.

Mumford was also a contemporary and friend of Frank Lloyd Wright, Clarence Stein, Frederic Osborn, Edmund N. Bacon, and Vannevar Bush.

A man of courage never needs weapons, but he may need bail.

Restore human legs as a means of travel. Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities.

The artist does not illustrate science (but) he frequently responds to the same interests that a scientist does.

One of the functions of intelligence is to take account of the dangers that come from trusting solely to the intelligence.

Our national flower is the concrete cloverleaf.

Forget the damned motor car and build the cities for lovers and friends.

Traditionalists are pessimists about the future and optimists about the past.

War is the supreme drama of a completely mechanized society.