Alan Bloom was an American philosopher, classicist, and educator, best known for his book, *The Closing of the American Mind*. Born on September 14, 1930, he became a prominent figure in the field of higher education and was a professor at the University of Chicago. His work often critiqued contemporary culture and the state of liberal education in the United States. Bloom's ideas emphasized the importance of classical texts and the Socratic method in education. He argued that modern universities had strayed from their original purpose, leading to a decline in critical thinking and intellectual rigor among students. His influence continues to be felt in discussions about education and cultural values.