Paul Benacerraf ’52 *60

Paul died Jan. 13, 2025.

An alumnus of the Peddie School, he came to Princeton and never left. He studied philosophy, stayed on for a Ph.D., and then joined the faculty. With his thesis adviser Hilary Putnam, he later edited the anthology, Philosophy of Mathematics, which shaped the course of the discipline for the rest of the century.

In 1979, Paul was named the Stuart Professor of Philosophy and in 1998, the James S. McConnell Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy. In the University administration he was associate dean of the Graduate School from 1960 to 1967 and then associate provost for special studies. From 1988 to 1991, he was provost of the University. Twice chairman of the philosophy department, he made it known worldwide. For many, it is said, he was the public face of analytic philosophy throughout the United States.

His honors are more than these. He was one of the most important of our class members. In person unassuming, he served for years on the class committee, helpful and much-liked.

Paul is survived by his children Marc, Tania, Andrea, Nicolas, and Natasha ’11; grandchildren Sophie, Lucas, Audrey, Dillon, and Seth; and his friend and former wife, Suzanne.