Sterling M. McMurrin

Sterling McMurrin
File:Sterling M. McMurrin 14 May 1962.jpg
United States Commissioner of Education
In office February 3, 1961 – September 8, 1962
President	John F. Kennedy
Preceded by	Lawrence Derthick
Succeeded by	Francis Keppel
Personal details
Born	(1914-01-12)January 12, 1914 Woods Cross, Utah, U.S.
Died	St. George, Utah, U.S.
Alma mater	University of California, Los Angeles University of Utah University of Southern California

Sterling Moss McMurrin (January 12, 1914 - April 6, 1996) was a liberal Mormon theologian and Philosophy professor at the University of Utah. He served as United States Commissioner of Education in the administration of President John F. Kennedy.

Biography

File:AR7025-A. President John F. Kennedy Meets with Education Officials.jpg

McMurrin (left) with Executive Secretary of the National Education Association William G. Carr (center) and President Kennedy, 1962

Born in Woods Cross, Utah, McMurrin's family moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1920s while he was at a young age. There he attended high school and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), but he gained his A.B. in history and M.A. in philosophy from the University of Utah. Returning to California for doctoral studies, the University of Southern California awarded him a Ph.D. in philosophy in 1946. McMurrin also did postdoctoral studies at Columbia University, Princeton University, and Union Theological Seminary. For a time McMurrin worked for the LDS Church Educational System, first as a seminary teacher in 1937, then a teacher at Arizona State University, and Institute of Religion director at the University of Arizona.

Regarding his religion, McMurrin argued that the LDS Church concealed parts of its history and had been declining in intellectual freedom. He believed that an honest study of religion would erode faith, and he personally did not believe in the historicity of the Book of Mormon. However, he remained devoted to Mormonism, despite his lack of faith and criticism from more "orthodox" church members.

In McMurrin's noted career, he worked with universities, large corporations, foundations, and governmental agencies, as a teacher, an administrator, and an advisor.

Works

A Critical Exposition of the Epistemological Function of Faith in the Philosophy of Augustine, Anselm and Aquinas

External links

• Biographical Sketch, Inventory of the Sterling M. McMurrin papers (1830-2006), University of Utah
• "Inventory of Sterling McMurrin Papers at John F. Kennedy Presidential Library"
• McMurrin Interviews, Symposium Media: Interviews, Lectures, and Panel Discussions

Political offices
Preceded by Lawrence Derthick	United States Commissioner of Education 1961–1962	Succeeded by Francis Keppel