Law Professor Awarded $250,000

Harvard affiliates swept this year’s Bradley Prizes, capturing all four of the $250,000 awards for politically conservative individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society and their respective fields.

Three Harvard alumni and a Law School professor will receive their prizes on Oct. 7 at the Library of Congress.

“These outstanding individuals are being recognized for achievements that are consistent with...the promotion of liberal democracy, democratic capitalism and a vigorous defense of American institutions,” said Michael W. Grebe, president and CEO of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, in a statement.

The prize is funded by the foundation, which is dedicated to “strengthening American democratic liberalism.”

“When I first received the news, I was flabbergasted,” said Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand professor of law. “I certainly felt very honored to be in the company of Leon Kass, who was my classmate at the University of Chicago, as well as Charles Krauthammer and Thomas Sowell, whom I admire greatly.”

Glendon teaches and writes extensively in the subjects of comparative law, constitutional law, human rights and bioethics.

Her book A World Made New: Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was hailed by the New York Times as a “definitive study” on human rights.

Glendon’s colleague, Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield ’53, praised her as one who has changed the school and the country.

“She’s a powerful minority voice in the Harvard Law School faculty, and she stands up for opinions that are not in the mainstream but ought to be. I’m delighted [that Glendon won]. It’s a wonderful thing for her, Harvard, as well as the country,” Mansfield said.

He added that Glendon has been a strong voice on the abortion issue.

Fellow prize winner Dr. Leon R. Kass, a professor at the University of Chicago, focuses his study on the ethical questions raised by untempered medical advances.

“I am both stunned and touched by this honor for the affirmation it brings to the intellectual, moral, and educational concerns that has guided my life,” wrote Kass in an e-mail.

“I am simply thrilled by being placed in the company of Professors Glendon and Sowell and Mr. Krauthammer, for whom I have the highest regard and admiration,” he added.

Kass received his Ph.D. from Harvard.

Krauthammer, a Pulitzer Prize winner for distinguished commentary, is a Harvard Medical School graduate. He writes on foreign policy, national defense and politics.

“Harvard Medical School has taught me the reality principle, the subordinate of theory to fact. I think—I hope—that that has had an effect on my writing and thinking ever since,” said Krauthammer.

Thomas Sowell ’58, has written over 30 books and is a syndicated columnist, focusing on social issues.

He is currently the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow in Public Policy at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.