Dan C. Lortie, Renowned Scholar and Teacher (1926-2020)

Dan C. Lortie, Professor Emeritus, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, at the age of 94.

Professor Lortie earned his doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago in 1958. After completing his degree, he joined the faculty of Harvard University. He returned to UChicago in 1963 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Education, was promoted to Professor in 1974, and retired in 1995.

As a sociologist, he worked in the research traditions of the Chicago school associated with Robert E. Park, Ernest W. Burgess, and especially Everett C. Hughes. His academic career was dedicated to understanding the work people do in the pursuit of their occupations, specifically teachers and school principals. He presented an analysis of the work by examining elements of teacher training, the career line, the vulnerability of teachers given their uncodified techniques for providing instruction to collectively assembled pupils, the authority structure of schools, and their collegiality and isolation, among other issues. His manuscript, Schoolteacher: A Sociological Study, published in 1975 by The University of Chicago Press, is regarded as the best social portrait of the profession since Willard Waller’s The Sociology of Teaching. Schoolteacher was reprinted in 2002, a clear indication of its continuing import.

In addition to his scholarly contributions, Professor Lortie supported the learning and growth of a large number of researchers, professors, future Deans, and school administrators who themselves have added to the knowledge base of educational leadership, school organizations, and the development of principals. His classes were conceptually rich and engaging, and he pressed students to think deeply and theoretically about the course topics and ideas.

With appreciation to Robert Dreeben, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Education, and Kent Peterson, PhD’83, for their help in this remembrance of Professor Lortie.