George Herbert Mead
American pragmatist and founder of symbolic interactionism.
George Herbert Mead was an American philosopher, sociologist, and psychologist, most closely associated with the University of Chicago. He helped shape pragmatism and is considered a founder of symbolic interactionism, significantly influencing what became known as the Chicago School of Sociology.
Mead was born on February 27, 1863, in South Hadley, Massachusetts, into a middle-class Protestant family. His father, Hiram Mead, was a former Congregationalist pastor from a line of farmers and clergymen, later teaching sacred rhetoric and pastoral theology at Oberlin College’s theological seminary. His mother, Elizabeth Storrs Mead, taught at Oberlin and later served as president of Mount Holyoke College. Mead had a sister named Alice. He attended Oberlin Academy and then Oberlin College, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1883. After graduating, he taught grade school briefly and then worked as a surveyor for the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company from late 1883 through mid-1887.
In 1891, Mead married Helen Kingsbury Castle, sister of his Oberlin friend Henry Northrup Castle. That same year, despite never finishing his dissertation, he secured a position at the University of Michigan. There he met Charles Horton Cooley and John Dewey, both of whom greatly influenced him. In 1894, Mead moved with Dewey to the University of Chicago, where he taught until his death. Dewey’s influence drew Mead into educational theory, but his thinking soon diverged, leading to his well-known psychological theories of mind, self, and society.
Mead was active in Chicago’s social and political life, including work for the City Club of Chicago. He believed science could address social problems and played a key role in research at a Chicago settlement house. He also served as treasurer for Hull House and worked closely with Jane Addams on social justice issues. Mead died of heart failure on April 26, 1931. Three months earlier, he had resigned from the University of Chicago over the hiring of Mortimer J. Adler, intending to join Columbia University, but died before that could happen.
Much of Mead’s work centered on the development of the self and the objectivity of the world within the social realm. He argued that the individual mind exists only in relation to other minds with shared meanings. The two main roots of his work, and of symbolic interactionism, are pragmatism and social beh
- born
- February 27, 1863, South Hadley, Massachusetts
- died
- April 26, 1931, heart failure
- field
- Philosophy, sociology, psychology
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Founder of symbolic interactionism, social behaviorism, theory of mind, self and society
Lore & Background
George Herbert Mead was born on February 27, 1863, in South Hadley, Massachusetts, into a Protestant, middle-class family. His father, Hiram Mead, was a former Congregationalist pastor and later held a chair at Oberlin College's theological seminary; his mother, Elizabeth Storrs Mead, served as president of Mount Holyoke College. Mead graduated from Oberlin College in 1883 with a Bachelor of Arts, then taught grade school briefly and worked as a surveyor for the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company until 1887. In 1891, he married Helen Kingsbury Castle, sister of his friend Henry Northrup Castle. Despite never finishing his dissertation, Mead obtained a post at the University of Michigan in 1891, where he met Charles Horton Cooley and John Dewey. In 1894, he moved with Dewey to the University of Chicago, teaching there until his death. Dewey's influence led Mead into educational theory, but his thinking diverged and developed into his psychological theories of mind, self, and society. Mead was active in Chicago's social and political affairs, working for the City Club of Chicago, conducting research at a settlement house, and serving as treasurer for Hull House in collaboration with Jane Addams on social justice matters. He died of heart failure on April 26, 1931, having submitted his resignation three months earlier over the hiring of Mortimer J. Adler, intending to join Columbia University.
Reader's Guide
Mead's significance lies in his development of social behaviorism and symbolic interactionism, which emphasize that mind and self emerge from social communication through significant symbols. He argued that the individual mind exists only in relation to other minds with shared meanings, and that consciousness is integral to action and interaction. His work, particularly in 'Mind, Self and Society' (1934), founded the symbolic interactionist school of sociology. Mead's pragmatist roots led him to view reality as actively created through action, with people defining objects according to their use. His theories influenced many graduate students at the University of Chicago who established symbolic interactionism. Mead also believed science could address social problems, and his practical engagement in Chicago's social reform efforts, including work with Jane Addams, reflected his philosophical commitment to linking theory and action. His legacy endures in sociology, social psychology, and philosophy, particularly through the Chicago School of Sociology.
Did You Know?
- Mead never finished his dissertation but still obtained a post at the University of Michigan in 1891.
- He worked as a surveyor for the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company from 1883 to 1887.
- Mead served as treasurer for Chicago's Hull House and collaborated with Jane Addams on social justice.
- He died of heart failure in 1931 after resigning from the University of Chicago over the hiring of Mortimer J. Adler.
More in Social Scientists And Sociologists 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record