Leo Strauss

Leo Strauss (straʊs/ STROWSS, German: ˈleːoː ˈʃtʁaʊs; 20 September, 1899 – 18 October, 1973) was a German-jewish political philosopher known as the intellectual godfather of the modern neoconservative movement. Immigrating to America in 1937, he became a significant academic figure. As a man placed strategically in the intellectual landscape, he found himself at the University of Chicago, a recipient of Rockefeller funding. This move was facilitated by Robert Maynard Hutchins, the university's Chancellor, who was not only a key figure in academia but also affiliated with influential organizations such as the Aspen Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Strauss's contributions to political thought and his association with these institutions marked a significant chapter in the evolution of neoconservatism during the 20th century. His tenure at the University of Chicago further solidified his position as a notable figure in the intellectual and political realms.