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Birth
Thomas Kuhn was born on July 18th, 1922. Having come from a wealthy family, his father, Samuel Louis Kuhn graduated from Harvard and MIT also serving in World War II. His mother Minette Kuhn graduated from Vassar College, and she wrote unpaid articles for progressive organizations, worked as a freelance editor, and was a patron of the arts. -
PhD
Kuhn first received his bachelor's degree in 1943. Soon after, earning his master's in physics at The University of Harvard (1946). It wasn't until 1949 Kuhn obtained his PhD there in the history of science. Kuhn was then elected to the prestigious Society of Fellows at Harvard. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
After leaving Harvard, in 1962, Kuhn taught at the University of California, Berkeley. While teaching Kuhn published his best known and most influential book. In this book Kuhn argued that science does not progress via a linear accumulation of new knowledge, but undergoes periodic revolutions, also called "paradigm shifts". This is ultimately followed by "normal science. Attached below is a link to a video that better explains his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQPsc55zsXA -
Princeton University
In 1964 Kuhn left Berkeley to take up the position of M. Taylor Pyne Professor of Philosophy and History of Science at Princeton University. This became an important as an event took place that helped Kuhn become well known amongst philosophers. The ensuing discussion about Kuhn's work between Popper, Margaret Masterman and Stephen Toulmin illuminated the significance of Kuhn' approach. -
The Sarton Medal
In 1982 Thomas Kuhn was awarded The Sarton Medal, the most prestigious award in the history of science society. It honors George Saton, the founder, of the modern phase in the history of science. It has been awarded annually since 1955. -
Death
On June 17th, 1996, died at the age of 73 due to cancer while in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He had been suffering from throat and lung cancer for two years.