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David J. Theroux: Difference between revisions
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'''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]].<ref>[https://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=531 David J. Theroux]</ref> | '''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]].<ref>[https://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=531 The Independent Institute, Bio of 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 name=":1">[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 name=":1">[https://www.independent.org/article.asp?id=14154 The Independent Institute, In Memoriam: David J. Theroux]</ref> | ||
==Early Career Path & Education== | ==Early Career Path & Education== | ||
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 in 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">[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 in 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">[https://www.independent.org/multimedia/detail.asp?id=7307 Mary Theroux at The Independent Institute, "Celebration of the Life of David J. Theroux: The Legacy and Future of Liberty" (March 28, 2023)]</ref> | ||
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" /> | 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" /> | ||
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==Engineering Career & Later Education== | ==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. Theroux met [[Milton Friedman]] at the Mount Pelerin meeting, who encouraged him to apply to graduate school at the University of Chicago. He did, was accepted into the PhD program in Economics. <ref name=":0" / | 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]]. <ref name=":0" /> 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. <ref name=":0" /> <ref>See sources at [[Roger MacBride]]</ref> Theroux met [[Milton Friedman]] at the Mount Pelerin meeting, who encouraged him to apply to graduate school at the University of Chicago. He did, was accepted into the PhD program in Economics. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
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 1979, he was approached about joining the newly-forming [[Cato Institute]] in San Francisco, California. He resigned from the PhD program early and was granted an MBA, then moved back to Northern California to work with Cato. <ref name=":0" /> | 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 1979, he was approached about joining the newly-forming [[Cato Institute]] in San Francisco, California. He resigned from the PhD program early and was granted an MBA, then moved back to Northern California to work with Cato. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
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While at Independent, Theroux focused on popularizing, promoting, and improving the work of others in the liberty movement. He oversaw the publication of a multitude of award-winning books. During the institute's summer seminars, he would personally host multiple students at his home, where they engaged in broad philosophical discussions. He also served as an advisor to the institute's scholarly Fellows, frequently offering them insights for their research based on his decades of extensive study. <ref name=":0" /> | While at Independent, Theroux focused on popularizing, promoting, and improving the work of others in the liberty movement. He oversaw the publication of a multitude of award-winning books. During the institute's summer seminars, he would personally host multiple students at his home, where they engaged in broad philosophical discussions. He also served as an advisor to the institute's scholarly Fellows, frequently offering them insights for their research based on his decades of extensive study. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
==Writing== | ==Writing & Speaking== | ||
Theroux | Under Theroux's leadership, [[The Independent Institute]] produced over 140 books that won more than 50 awards. He also personally wrote dozens of scholarly articles and popular commentaries. In collaboration with [[Robert Higgs]], Theroux also launched the influential scholarly journal, ''[[The Independent Review]].'' <ref name=":1" /> Just a few days before his death, he engaged with [[Jordan Peterson]] to write the forward to a new Independent Institute book, ''Is Social Justice Just?'' <ref name=":0" /> <ref>[[:File:Theroux Peterson Graham.jpeg|Photo of Theroux with Peterson taken on April 20, 2023]]</ref> | ||
Theroux frequently appeared in various media outlets discussing libertarian ideas. He was referenced in ''USA Today'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', and ''The Washington Times'' (among many others), and appeared on outlets such as ABC, MSNBC, Fox Business Network, CNN, C-SPAN, and NPR. <ref name=":1" /> | |||
==Response to 9/11== | ==Response to 9/11== | ||
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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 & Death== | == Personal Life & Death== | ||
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" /> | 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" /> | ||
In 1976, shortly before starting his program at the University of Chicago, Theroux married his first wife, Elaine Shipp ''(correct spelling of last name unknown)'', who he had earlier met in Shreveport. They had two sons, Paul and Drake. <ref name=": | In 1976, shortly before starting his program at the University of Chicago, Theroux married his first wife, Elaine Shipp ''(correct spelling of last name unknown)'', who he had earlier met in Shreveport. They had two sons, Paul and Drake. <ref name=":1" /> <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. Mary later became one of Theroux's early board members at [[The Independent Institute]] and helped him bootstrap the organization. They married in 1991. <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. Mary later became one of Theroux's early board members at [[The Independent Institute]] and helped him bootstrap the organization. They married in 1991. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
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Theroux was deeply committed to his family and loved to spend time with his grandchildren. <ref name=":0" /> | Theroux was deeply committed to his family and loved to spend time with his grandchildren. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
On | On April 23, 2023 Theroux had a seizure due to an undetected aortic aneurysm and passed away, constituting a great loss to the libertarian community. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
[[Category:Activists]] | [[Category:Activists]] | ||