Three Philosophical Poets

George Santayana, born Jorge Agust n Nicol s Ruiz de Santayana y Borr s on December 16, 1863, was a Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist. Raised in the United States from the age of eight, Santayana identified as American but always maintained his Spanish citizenship. He left his position as a professor at Harvard University at the age of 48 and spent the rest of his life in Europe. Santayana is best known for his philosophical aphorisms, such as "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" and "Only the dead have seen the end of war." He defined beauty as "Pleasure objectified," highlighting his interest in aesthetic experience. Although an atheist, Santayana retained a deep respect for the Catholic culture and values of his Spanish upbringing. His work covered a wide range of intellectual topics, blending philosophy with literary expression. Santayana passed away on September 26, 1952, in Rome, where he was buried in the Spanish Pantheon in the Campo di Verano.