David J. Theroux: Difference between revisions
NickGausling (talk | contribs) (Added substantial material on Theroux's personal life obtained from Mary Theroux's memorial. More to come.) |
NickGausling (talk | contribs) (Saving substantial content additions. Still adding more.) |
||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
Theroux was a lifetime member of the [[Libertarian Party]].<ref>[https://www.lp.org/libertarian-party-lifetime-members/ LP Lifetime Member Roster]</ref> He passed away on April 23, 2022, due to an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm.<ref>[https://www.independent.org/article.asp?id=14154 In Memoriam: David J. Theroux]</ref> | Theroux was a lifetime member of the [[Libertarian Party]].<ref>[https://www.lp.org/libertarian-party-lifetime-members/ LP Lifetime Member Roster]</ref> He passed away on April 23, 2022, due to an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm.<ref>[https://www.independent.org/article.asp?id=14154 In Memoriam: David J. Theroux]</ref> | ||
==Early Life & Education == | |||
Theroux was born in East Lansing, Michigan, on May 25, 1949, and his family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, a few weeks later. <ref name=":0">[https://www.independent.org/multimedia/detail.asp?id=7307 Celebration of the Life of David J. Theroux: The Legacy and Future of Liberty (March 28, 2023)]</ref> | |||
As a teenager, Theroux was given a copy of [[Barry Goldwater]]'s famous book, ''The Conscience of a Conservative'', by his mother. He would later become an Eagle Scout, and also obtained a commission to the U.S. Air Force Academy during the Vietnam War. During the Academy's famous Vietcong prison simulations, Theroux was a rare exception among cadets that did not sign the forced confession. During this time, he began to understand that the war ran contrary to the founding principles of American freedom. At the conclusion of his third year, he resigned from the Academy without graduating. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
Still under contract for two years of military service and not wanting to go to Vietnam, Theroux obtained a domestic assignment at a little-known base in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he spent most of his time in the base's library and eventually came across [[FA Hayek]]'s essay "Why I am Not a Conservative." Starting fom Hayek's sources in that essay, Theroux embarked on an extensive journey of study across topics related to liberty. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
After completing his Air Force contract, Theroux attended the University of California, Berkeley, studying math and engineering, where he was shocked by his encounters with communists on campus upon learning of their political intentions. Around this time he attended a conference at Stanford University where he was introduced to C.S. Lewis ''The Abolition of Man'', which further set him on learning path towards a philosophical framework for opposing the communist agenda. With his credits transferring from the Air Force Academy, Theroux graduated from Berkeley after only one year with dual Bachelor's degrees in math and engineering. One year later he obtained a Master's degree. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Engineering Career & Later Education== | |||
Theroux then worked as a petroleum engineer in both Texas and Louisiana. Meanwhile, he continued his studies and came across both the [[Foundation for Economic Education]] and the [[Institute for Humane Studies]], becoming friends with both of their respective founders, [[Leonard Read]] and [[F. A. "Baldy" Harper]]. He was introduced to the [[Mont Pelerin Society]] in 1975 by [[Roger MacBride]], who became the [[Libertarian Party]] nominee for President of the United States the following year. At the Mount Pelerin meeting, Theroux met [[Milton Friedman]], who encouraged him to apply to graduate school at the University of Chicago, where he was accepted into the PhD program in Economics. <ref name=":0" /> <ref>[[Roger MacBride]]</ref> | |||
At the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, Theroux organized a lecture series on the [[Austrian School of Economics]] which featured [[Israel Kirzner]], [[Murray Rothbard]], and [[FA Hayek]]. Around this time, he was approached about joining the newly-forming [[Cato Institute]] in San Francisco, California. He left the PhD program early and was granted an MBA. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Think Tanks== | |||
Theroux was in charge of academic programs at Cato, including oversight of the ''Cato Policy Report'' and other publications and initiatives. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
When Cato moved from Northern California to Washington, DC, Theroux was hired by [[Antony Fisher]] to serve as the first president of what is now known as the [[Pacific Research Institute]]. While there, he oversaw the publication of about 30 books. A few weeks before a dinner he organized honoring Hayek, he found out that Hayek was sick in Japan and given a doctor's order to not travel. Theroux arranged for [[Thomas Sowell]] to speak at the dinner about Hayek's work, and also for Hayek to phone in from Japan.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Theroux founded [[The Independent Institute]] in 1986. He had difficulty getting funding because potential donors told him with Ronald Reagan in the White House, the battle of ideas had already been won. To save on costs, he would use the offices of Grocery Express, a company run by one of Independent's board members, Mary (who he later married). In order to help stabilize the finances, Theroux learned about how to run a direct mail catalog in order to create the Liberty Tree Review, which sold liberty-oriented items. This helped sustain Independent until a good donor base was established. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Writing== | ==Writing== | ||
| Line 50: | Line 73: | ||
Theroux's entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of the YouTube video series "Love Gov" in collaboration with Emergent Order. This series aimed to satirize and critique the intrusiveness and cost of big government, targeting mainstream Millennials. The series gained significant popularity and received numerous awards. | Theroux's entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of the YouTube video series "Love Gov" in collaboration with Emergent Order. This series aimed to satirize and critique the intrusiveness and cost of big government, targeting mainstream Millennials. The series gained significant popularity and received numerous awards. | ||
==Personal Life | ==Personal Life & Death== | ||
In 1976, shortly before entering starting his PhD at the University of Chicago, Theroux married his first wife, Elane Shipp ''(correct spelling unknown)'', who he had earlier met in Shreveport. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
Mary Theroux, who later became his second wife, was first introduced to him as a result of her family's ownership of a cattle ranch in Northern Nevada. At the time, Theroux was working on federal land policy at the [[Pacific Research Institute]], and Mary's father asked to go by the Pacific Research Institute to meet him while visiting Mary in Northern California. She later became one of Theroux's early board members at [[The Independent Institute]] and helped him create Liberty Tree Review. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
Throughout his life, Theroux remained committed to his family and considered them his highest joy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Theroux, who worked alongside him, his two sons, Paul and Drake Theroux, and his grandchildren. Theroux's sudden passing on April 23, 2022, due to an undetected aortic aneurysm, was a great loss to the libertarian community. | Throughout his life, Theroux remained committed to his family and considered them his highest joy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Theroux, who worked alongside him, his two sons, Paul and Drake Theroux, and his grandchildren. Theroux's sudden passing on April 23, 2022, due to an undetected aortic aneurysm, was a great loss to the libertarian community. | ||
| Line 70: | Line 86: | ||
[[Category:Authors]] | [[Category:Authors]] | ||
[[Category:Philosophers]] | [[Category:Philosophers]] | ||
<references /> | |||
Revision as of 17:50, 30 June 2023
| David J. Theroux | |
 | |
| Founder, CEO, and President The Independent Institute | |
| 1986—2022 | |
| Predecessor: | Inaugural |
| Successor: | As CEO: Mary Theroux / As President: Graham Walker |
| President Pacific Research Institute | |
| approx. 1979—? | |
| Predecessor: | Inaugural |
| Vice President and Director of Academic Affairs Cato Institute | |
| approx. 1977—? | |
| Predecessor: | Inaugural |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | May 25, 1949 |
| Death: | April 23, 2022 (age 72) |
| Education: | University of California, Berkeley (BS, AB, MS) / University of Chicago (MBA) |
| Occupation: | Think Tank Executive, Academic |
| Residence: | Northern California |
| Media | |
| Website: | The Independent Institute |
| Twitter: | |
| view image gallery | |
David J. Theroux was an American think tank executive and academic who made significant contributions to the development of libertarian thought. He held founding executive roles with both the Cato Institute and the Pacific Research Institute, and was the founder and leader of The Independent Institute.[1]
Theroux was a lifetime member of the Libertarian Party.[2] He passed away on April 23, 2022, due to an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm.[3]
Early Life & Education
Theroux was born in East Lansing, Michigan, on May 25, 1949, and his family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, a few weeks later. [4]
As a teenager, Theroux was given a copy of Barry Goldwater's famous book, The Conscience of a Conservative, by his mother. He would later become an Eagle Scout, and also obtained a commission to the U.S. Air Force Academy during the Vietnam War. During the Academy's famous Vietcong prison simulations, Theroux was a rare exception among cadets that did not sign the forced confession. During this time, he began to understand that the war ran contrary to the founding principles of American freedom. At the conclusion of his third year, he resigned from the Academy without graduating. [4]
Still under contract for two years of military service and not wanting to go to Vietnam, Theroux obtained a domestic assignment at a little-known base in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he spent most of his time in the base's library and eventually came across FA Hayek's essay "Why I am Not a Conservative." Starting fom Hayek's sources in that essay, Theroux embarked on an extensive journey of study across topics related to liberty. [4]
After completing his Air Force contract, Theroux attended the University of California, Berkeley, studying math and engineering, where he was shocked by his encounters with communists on campus upon learning of their political intentions. Around this time he attended a conference at Stanford University where he was introduced to C.S. Lewis The Abolition of Man, which further set him on learning path towards a philosophical framework for opposing the communist agenda. With his credits transferring from the Air Force Academy, Theroux graduated from Berkeley after only one year with dual Bachelor's degrees in math and engineering. One year later he obtained a Master's degree. [4]
Engineering Career & Later Education
Theroux then worked as a petroleum engineer in both Texas and Louisiana. Meanwhile, he continued his studies and came across both the Foundation for Economic Education and the Institute for Humane Studies, becoming friends with both of their respective founders, Leonard Read and F. A. "Baldy" Harper. He was introduced to the Mont Pelerin Society in 1975 by Roger MacBride, who became the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States the following year. At the Mount Pelerin meeting, Theroux met Milton Friedman, who encouraged him to apply to graduate school at the University of Chicago, where he was accepted into the PhD program in Economics. [4] [5]
At the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, Theroux organized a lecture series on the Austrian School of Economics which featured Israel Kirzner, Murray Rothbard, and FA Hayek. Around this time, he was approached about joining the newly-forming Cato Institute in San Francisco, California. He left the PhD program early and was granted an MBA. [4]
Think Tanks
Theroux was in charge of academic programs at Cato, including oversight of the Cato Policy Report and other publications and initiatives. [4]
When Cato moved from Northern California to Washington, DC, Theroux was hired by Antony Fisher to serve as the first president of what is now known as the Pacific Research Institute. While there, he oversaw the publication of about 30 books. A few weeks before a dinner he organized honoring Hayek, he found out that Hayek was sick in Japan and given a doctor's order to not travel. Theroux arranged for Thomas Sowell to speak at the dinner about Hayek's work, and also for Hayek to phone in from Japan.[4]
Theroux founded The Independent Institute in 1986. He had difficulty getting funding because potential donors told him with Ronald Reagan in the White House, the battle of ideas had already been won. To save on costs, he would use the offices of Grocery Express, a company run by one of Independent's board members, Mary (who he later married). In order to help stabilize the finances, Theroux learned about how to run a direct mail catalog in order to create the Liberty Tree Review, which sold liberty-oriented items. This helped sustain Independent until a good donor base was established. [4]
Writing
Theroux was a prolific author, publishing numerous scholarly articles and commissioning over 140 books on public issues. He was dedicated to advancing the principles of liberty and frequently appeared in various media outlets, discussing libertarian ideas. Theroux also played a significant role in launching the quarterly journal, The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy, in collaboration with Robert Higgs.
Response to 9/11
In response to the 9/11 attacks, Theroux boldly defended the sanctity of every human life and championed the values of liberty and justice. He founded the C.S. Lewis Society of California to promote the ideas articulated by Lewis, which emphasized principled thinking in political economy and moral precepts.
YouTube
Theroux's entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of the YouTube video series "Love Gov" in collaboration with Emergent Order. This series aimed to satirize and critique the intrusiveness and cost of big government, targeting mainstream Millennials. The series gained significant popularity and received numerous awards.
Personal Life & Death
In 1976, shortly before entering starting his PhD at the University of Chicago, Theroux married his first wife, Elane Shipp (correct spelling unknown), who he had earlier met in Shreveport. [4]
Mary Theroux, who later became his second wife, was first introduced to him as a result of her family's ownership of a cattle ranch in Northern Nevada. At the time, Theroux was working on federal land policy at the Pacific Research Institute, and Mary's father asked to go by the Pacific Research Institute to meet him while visiting Mary in Northern California. She later became one of Theroux's early board members at The Independent Institute and helped him create Liberty Tree Review. [4]
Throughout his life, Theroux remained committed to his family and considered them his highest joy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Theroux, who worked alongside him, his two sons, Paul and Drake Theroux, and his grandchildren. Theroux's sudden passing on April 23, 2022, due to an undetected aortic aneurysm, was a great loss to the libertarian community.