Harris, Marjorie Silliman (1890–1976)

American philosopher. Born June 6, 1890, in Virginia; died in March 1976, in Wethersfield, Connecticut; daughter of George Wells and Elizabeth Silliman Harris; B.A. Mount Holyoke College, 1913; Susan Linn Sage Scholarship in Philosophy and Ph.D., Cornell University, 1921.

Was an instructor in philosophy, University of Colorado (1921–22); was adjunct professor of philosophy, Randolph-Macon Women's College (1922–25), associate professor (1925–30), professor (1930–58); was professor emeritus and chair of philosophy (1934–58).

Selected works:

"If We Have Life, Do We Need Philosophy?" in Journal of Philosophy (September 15,1927); "Beauty and the Good" in Philosophical Re-view (September 1930); "Bergson's Conception of Freedom" in Philosophical Review (September 1933); "A Transcendent Approach to Philosophy" in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research (Vol. 15, 1955); Francisco Romero on Problems of Philosophy (1960);"Philosophy for Tomorrow" in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research (Vol. 24, 1964).

Marjorie Silliman Harris spent most of her career as a professional philosopher at Randolph-Macon Women's College. Eventually she became chair of the department of philosophy and received the honor of Professor Emeritus. Although she was an American scholar, Harris concentrated on the French philosophers, Henri Bergson and August Comte, and on the Argentinean philosopher Francisco Romero. She published many articles in philosophical journals and one book on Romero. Against the background of Romero's thought, she developed a personal vision of the importance of philosophy as an individual pursuit, a type of reflection that makes life meaningful. In her spare time, she enjoyed birdwatching.

Catherine Hundleby , M.A. Philosophy, University of Guelph