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Hilary Putnam was born July 13,1926 in Chicago Illinois to Samuel and Riva Putnam being the only child. His father a writer, translator, and communist. Also wrote for the Daily Worker newspaper.
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During Putnam's childhood one of his classmates/ fellow long time friends was Noam Chomsky (cognitive science). Putnam went on to continue his college education starting at The University of Pennsylvania in 1948 studying both mathematics and philosophy. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hilary-Putnam
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Putnam went on to continue graduate school at The University of Harvard and UCLA. Obtaining a PhD in 1951.
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After receiving his PhD, and teaching at three other universities. Putnam spent the rest of his time teaching at Harvard.
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Putnam's early philosophy contributions start with "The meaning of the meaning." Theory of externalism meanings not just within your head. Putnam always thought outside of the box even with his own theories.
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Semantic Externalism: not just mental but connect with reality. Putnam's steadfast defense of realism. His saying was "Best minds are those that think through position, get to the other side of it, then regect it." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_strtQrsn6M
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Putnam contributed to other major works as well. Just to name a few:
metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of the mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, and philosophy of logic, Brain in a vat, Realism, and many more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTfTcyiRDc
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Putnam died March 13,2016. Leaving behind his widow Ruth Anna, and four children. Ruth Anna was also a professor and obtained a PhD in philosophy from UCLA
