Paul Starr

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PaulStarr

Paul Starr (May 12, 1949 – ) is an American sociologist and professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University. He is best known for his work in the field of medical sociology and for his influential book, The Social Transformation of American Medicine, which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and the Bancroft Prize in 1984.

Early Life and Education

Paul Starr was born on May 12, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Columbia University, where he earned his B.A. in 1970. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University in 1978.

Academic Career

Starr began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Chicago before joining the faculty at Princeton University in 1978. At Princeton, he has served as the Stuart Professor of Communications and Public Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Major Works

The Social Transformation of American Medicine

Starr's most notable work, The Social Transformation of American Medicine, examines the history and development of the American healthcare system. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the rise of the medical profession and the evolution of healthcare institutions in the United States. It is widely regarded as a seminal text in the field of medical sociology.

Other Publications

In addition to The Social Transformation of American Medicine, Starr has authored several other influential books and articles, including The Logic of Health Care Reform and Remedy and Reaction: The Peculiar American Struggle over Health Care Reform. His work often addresses issues related to healthcare policy, social theory, and the role of the state in society.

Awards and Honors

Paul Starr has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and the Bancroft Prize, he has been awarded fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal Life

Starr is married to Ellen Chesler, a senior fellow at the Roosevelt Institute. They have two children.

See Also

• Medical sociology
• Healthcare policy
• Public health
• Sociology of medicine