While it is well known that Will Durant was a prolific writer, penning over 6 million words for The Story of Civilization alone, what is less known is that he also was a prolific letter writer. His fan mail was extensive and every week would see him taking time out from his professional obligations to answer letters from friends, fans and colleagues.

We encourage visitors to Will Durant On-Line who may have some correspondence from Dr. Durant to share them with us by sending a copy to John Little’s attention via our e-mail address, along with some information on the background of the letter. Each month, Will Durant On-Line will feature a new installment of "Dear Will Durant" which will highlight some of his more interesting correspondence, from "letters to the editor" sections of newspapers, to answering general queries from fans, to acknowledging missives from Presidents and old friends. We inaugurate this column with a birthday letter written to Will Durant from then President Richard M. Nixon and Durant (a life-long Democrat’s) rather dry response. It is vintage Durant, and an interesting piece of Americana when the Philosopher and the President traded letters.

-- J.L.

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

 

October 27, 1970

Dear Mr. Durant:

When I recently learned that this November will mark your eighty-fifth birthday, I could not but welcome this happy occasion as an opportunity to tell you of my long-standing admiration for you and for the career that has made you a household word across America.

Your interpretation of the progress of civilization has introduced not only countless youngsters but many adults to the history of other times, other peoples and celebrated past events. It has enriched the lives of your fellow citizens, and indeed of men and women throughout the world for whom your name and that of Mrs. Durant will always symbolize an exciting adventure into the past. And since that past is the prologue to the future, your works have a timeless quality and a meaning that will endure for generations to come.

I hope that these thoughts will give you as much satisfaction as you have given to your readers, and that the years ahead will be filled with all the joy and contentment you deserve.

With my best wishes,

Sincerely,

Richard Nixon

 

DURANT REPLIES:

WILL DURANT

3608 Briarcliff Road

Los Angeles, CA 90028

 

October 29, 1970

President Richard M. Nixon

The White House

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

It was good of you to take time out from literally a universe of problems and to send a word of condolence to these scribblers on their getting one year closer to the incinerator. Our complements to the alert aid who kept track of our decline.

We supported Mr. Humphrey, but we must confess that you have surprised us by the many liberal measures you have offered to Congress. We have a vague idea of the many obstacles you have to bypass in order to be a liberal dependent upon conservative support; our democracy requires a man to be a politician before it allows him to be a statesman.

We wish you health, and ask you to convey our complements to Mrs. Nixon, whose modesty rivals and doubles her beauty.

Sincerely,

Will Durant