Bennett, William John (1943-…), is an educator, administrator, and author. He serves as codirector for Empower America, a center for research and study dedicated to conservative principles and ideas. He has served as United States secretary of education and in other government posts. Bennett is known as an outspoken supporter of education reform and as a spokesperson for conservative views on a number of social issues.
In December 2000, Bennett announced that he would head an online school called K12, which would provide educational materials through the Internet. The school, which began operating in 2001, is aimed primarily at families who are home-schooling their children.
Bennett was born in the Brooklyn section of New York City. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1965 from Williams College. In 1970, he graduated from the University of Texas with a doctorate in philosophy. He received a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1971.
After graduating from Harvard, Bennett joined the faculty of Boston University. He taught philosophy there from 1971 to 1976. From 1972 to 1976, he also served as assistant to the university president. In 1976, Bennett was hired by the National Humanities Center in North Carolina, an institute founded to foster advanced study in the humanities. Bennett served as the agency’s executive officer until 1979, when he became its president and director.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Bennett chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. From 1985 to 1988, Bennett served in Reagan’s Cabinet as the secretary of education. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush appointed Bennett to head the new White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Bennett held that post until 1990. In 1993, he helped to found Empower America and became a codirector of the organization.
Bennett has written widely about social issues. His books include The De-Valuing of America: The Fight for Our Culture and Our Children (1992) and The Death of Outrage: Bill Clinton and the Assault on American Ideals (1998). Bennett was an outspoken critic of President Bill Clinton, but Bennett’s brother Robert S. Bennett served as Clinton’s personal lawyer. William Bennett also edited and wrote the commentary for The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (1993).
