A major figure in the field of history and philosophy of education in the 20th century, John Seiler Brubacher (1898-1988) helped shaped the direction of the field through his teaching and writing. His books were used to prepare many teachers, school administrators, and professors across the United States.

John Seiler Brubacher was born on October 18, 1898, in Easthampton, Massachusetts, the only child of Abram Royer and Rosa (Haas) Brubacher. A descendant of Pennsylvania Mennonites, Brubacher grew up in New York where his father served as a public school administrator and as president of New York State Teachers College at Albany. His mother was a former music teacher. Thus, Brubacher was reared by parents who strongly supported his academic endeavors.

Brubacher went to the public schools of New York in the various places of his father's work. He attended public high school in Schenectady, but when the family moved to...