John Dewey
New York, New York, New York
Marker Inscription
John Dewey 1859-1952 The influential educator and philosopher rejected education by rote in favor of “learning by doing,” which develops the critical thinking skills Dewey believed were essential for participation in a democratic society. He lived here from 1913 to 1927, and was the author of Democracy and Education (1916) and Experience and Nature (1925).
Erected by Historic Landmarks Preservation Center
The Story
By the time John Dewey settled into this New York address in 1913, he was already reshaping how Americans thought about the classroom. A leading voice of the Progressive Era, he argued that children learn best by doing rather than by memorizing, and that schools should cultivate the independent, critical thinkers a democracy depends on. It was during these years that he published landmark works including Democracy and Education (1916) and Experience and Nature (1925).
Why it matters
Dewey's philosophy of "learning by doing" became a foundation of modern American education and tied the purpose of schooling directly to the health of democratic life.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- 81 Leonard Gallery6.4 mi away
- Gerben Fine Art6.5 mi away
- Bureau6.6 mi away · 112 Duane Street
- Hall des Lumières6.7 mi away · 49 Chambers Street, New York, NY
- Cloud Gallery6.7 mi away
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum6.9 mi away · 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY
Attractions
- The River Project Wetlab5.9 mi away
- FDNY Ladder 86.3 mi away · 14 North Moore Street, New York
- Dream house6.3 mi away
- Cortlandt Alley6.4 mi away
- Textile building6.4 mi away
- Chinatown6.4 mi away
Food & drink
- Sweetgreen7.2 mi away
- Maman7.2 mi away
- Greene Hook Bar & Kitchen7.3 mi away
- Semicolon Cafe7.3 mi away
- Rumi Turkish Grill7.3 mi away
- Bluestone Lane7.3 mi away
Places to stay
- DoubleTree6.8 mi away · 455 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ
- Conrad6.8 mi away · 102 North End Avenue, New York
- Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City6.9 mi away · 21 2nd Street, Jersey City, NJ
- M Social Hotel New York Downtown6.9 mi away · 55 Church Street, New York, NY
- Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center Area7.0 mi away · 170 Broadway, New York, NY
- Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson7.0 mi away · 2 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ
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Related people
- · John Dewey
Themes & tags
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