Since the publication of his widely read The Sacred Canopy in 1966, sociologist Peter L. Berger has been known as one of the most interesting and often controversial writers on the sociological aspects of religion, economics, and modern society. Berger was born on March 17, 1929, in Vienna, Austria, the son of George William and Jelka (Loew) Berger. In 1946 he emigrated to the United States and in 1952 became a naturalized citizen. On September 28, 1959, he married Brigitte Kellner. They had two sons, Thomas Ulrich and Michael George. Berger received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wagner College in 1949. He earned his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the New School for Social Research in 1950 and 1954, respectively.

In 1954, Berger began his career as a sociologist at the University of Georgia, Columbus. Over the next 25 years he held positions at numerous universities, including Evangelical Academy in Bad Boll, Germany, from 1955-...