Allan Bloom was an American philosopher, classicist, and educator, best known for his book, The Closing of the American Mind, published in 1987. In this influential work, he critiqued contemporary higher education and argued that universities were failing to teach students about the great works of Western philosophy and literature. Bloom believed that this neglect led to a decline in critical thinking and moral understanding among students. Born on September 14, 1930, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bloom studied at Harvard University and later taught at the University of Chicago. He was a prominent figure in the neoconservative movement and contributed to discussions on culture, education, and politics throughout his career. Bloom passed away on October 7, 1992.