Scott Nearing

Nearing as a young man

Nearing in an illustration for NY Call, 1918

Scott Nearing (August 6, 1883 – August 24, 1983) was an American radical economist, educator, writer, political activist, and advocate of simple living. Nearing is best known for his work in the social reform movement and his significant contributions to discussions on economic and social issues of the early 20th century. His life's work spanned a wide range of activities and interests, including economics, peace, and sustainable living.

Early Life and Education

Scott Nearing was born in Morris Run, Pennsylvania, to a family with a deep interest in social reform. He pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1901 and a Ph.D. in Economics in 1909. His academic work and early career were marked by a strong commitment to social justice and an interest in the labor movement.

Career

Nearing's career was diverse, encompassing roles as an academic, a social activist, and a writer. He taught economics and sociology at several institutions, including the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Toledo. However, his outspoken views on labor rights, pacifism, and social reform led to controversy and eventually his dismissal from academia.

In the 1910s and 1920s, Nearing became heavily involved in the peace movement, particularly in opposition to World War I, which resulted in legal troubles due to his anti-war activism. He was a member of several organizations, including the Socialist Party of America and later the Communist Party USA, though he eventually distanced himself from the latter.

Nearing's written work includes numerous books and articles on economics, social justice, and sustainable living. His most famous work, co-authored with his wife Helen Nearing, is Living the Good Life (1954), in which they detailed their experience of moving to a rural homestead in Vermont and living self-sufficiently. This book and their subsequent works became influential in the back-to-the-land movement and are still regarded as seminal texts in discussions of sustainable living and simplicity.

Later Life and Legacy

In their later years, Scott and Helen Nearing moved to Maine, where they continued their simple, self-sufficient lifestyle. Scott Nearing lived to be 100 years old, passing away in 1983. His legacy is preserved through his writings and the continued relevance of his ideas on social reform, peace, and sustainable living.

Nearing's life and work have been influential in various movements, including the peace movement, the labor movement, and the environmental movement. His advocacy for a simple, ethical lifestyle continues to inspire those interested in sustainability and social justice.

Selected Works

• The Making of a Radical: A Political Autobiography (1972)
• Living the Good Life: How to Live Sanely and Simply in a Troubled World (1954, with Helen Nearing)
• Man's Search for the Good Life (1949)

See Also

• Sustainable living
• Back-to-the-land movement
• Social reform