Philip Blumstein was born in New York City on October 2, 1944. He received his bachelor of arts degree in 1966 from Reed College. He earned both his master and his doctorate degrees in sociology from Vanderbilt University in 1967 and 1970, respectively. He began his career as a sociologist and teacher in 1969 as an assistant professor at the University of Washington, where he remained until his death in 1991. In 1975 he became an associate professor and the director of the Center for the Studies of Social Psychology. He received a National Science Foundation research grant from 1977-79 and held several memberships in professional organizations, including the American Sociology Association and the International Academy for Sexual Research.

Nationally known for his research on human sexuality and relationships, Blumstein's most important book American Couples: Money, Work, Sex was written in conjunction with fellow sociologist Pepper Swartz. It was published in 1983 and reprinted in paperback in...