Bergen Evans, The Natural Histor Quotes

A collection of quotes by Bergen Evans, The Natural Histor.

Bergen Evans was an American author, educator, and television personality, widely recognized for his contributions to the field of English and language studies. Born on January 6, 1904, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he pursued a lifelong passion for language and learning.

Evans graduated from Indiana University and went on to earn his Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago. He began his academic career as an English professor at Northwestern University, where his teaching skills garnered significant attention. Known for his engaging and witty teaching style, Evans became a beloved figure among his students.

Evans's charismatic presence and expertise in language led to several notable opportunities in the media. In the 1940s, he began hosting a popular radio program called "Words at War," which explored the impact of language on wartime propaganda. This radio show marked the beginning of his notable career as a public figure.

However, Evans gained widespread recognition as the co-host and resident expert on the popular television quiz show, "The $64,000 Question," which aired during the 1950s. His role on the show solidified his reputation as a knowledgeable and entertaining language expert.

Throughout his life, Evans authored numerous books on language, including "The Natural History of Nonsense" (1946), which delves into the origins and development of language and its idiosyncrasies. He continued to write and contribute to linguistic scholarship until his death on February 4, 1978, leaving behind an enduring legacy as a prominent figure in the field of English language studies.

We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us. Ideas of the Stone Age exist side by side with the latest scientific thought. Only a fraction of mankind has emerged from the Dark Ages, and in the most lucid brains, as Logan Pearsall Smith has said, we come upon nests of woolly caterpillars. Seemingly sane men entrust their wealth to stargazers and their health to witch doctors. Giant planes throb through the stratosphere, but half their passengers are wearing magic amulets and are protected from harm by voodoo incantations. Hotels boast of express elevators and a telephone in every room, but omit thirteen from all floor and room numbers lest their guests be ill at ease.

Bergen Evans, The Natural Histor

Superstition