Origins & Early Life

Martin Buber (German: [ˈmaʁtiːn ˈbuːbɐ] ; Hebrew: מרטין בובר; Yiddish: מארטין בובער; 8 February 1878 – 13 June 1965) was an Austrian-Israeli philosopher best known for his philosophy of dialogue, a form of existentialism centered on the distinction between the I–Thou relationship and the I–It relationship. Born in Vienna, Buber came from a family of observant Jews, but broke with Jewish custom to pursue secular studies in philosophy. He produced writings about Zionism and worked with various bodies within the Zionist movement extensively over a nearly 50-year period spanning his time in Europe and the Near East. In 1923, Buber wrote his famous essay on existence, Ich und Du (later translated into English as I and Thou), and in 1925 he began translating the Hebrew Bible into the German language.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature ten times, and the Nobel Peace Prize seven times. Martin (Hebrew name: מָרְדֳּכַי, Mordechai) Buber was born in Vienna to an Orthodox Jewish family. Buber was a direct descendant of the 16th-century rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen, known as the Maharam (מהר״ם), the Hebrew acronym for “Morreinu , HaRav (the Rabbi), Meir”, of Padua...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Benjamin Bonneville — Contemporary (Died in 1878) (1878): American explorer and U.S. Army officer famed for Western expeditions.
• Chen Jiongming — Contemporary (Born in 1878) (1878): Key Chinese statesman and federalist leader during the Warlord Era.
• Claude Bernard — Contemporary (Died in 1878) (1878): Pioneering French physiologist who originated the concept of 'milieu intérieur'.
• Aamir Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known for his dedication to cinematic perfection.
• Albert Schweitzer — Contemporary (Died in 1965) (1965): German polymath renowned for theology, music, and 'Reverence for Life'
• Bashar al-Assad — Contemporary (Born in 1965) (1965): Former President of Syria, known for his authoritarian rule and role in the Syrian Civil War.
• Baldassare Castiglione — Shared historical date (02-08 · Died) (1529): Influential Renaissance author and courtier, known for 'The Book of the Courtier'.
• Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher) — Shared historical date (02-08 · Died) (1923): Influential English philosopher and political theorist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Ann Druyan — Shared historical date (06-13 · Born) (1949): Pioneering producer communicating science through documentary film and literature.
• Anthony of Padua — Shared historical date (06-13 · Died) (1231): Portuguese Catholic saint and Franciscan friar, renowned for his preaching.
• 1878 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1878
• February 8 (02-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 8
• 1965 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1965
• June 13 (06-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 13