August 13

Hugo Adam Bedau was a distinguished American philosopher whose scholarship focused on political philosophy and ethics, particularly capital punishment. He authored seminal works critiquing the death penalty and was a founder of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Bedau taught at prestigious institutions including Tufts University, where he inspired students through rigorous debate and ethical analysis. His research articles and books shaped academic and public discourse on human rights and legal theory. He also served as editor of the journal 'Philosophy and Public Affairs', elevating the field of applied ethics. Bedau's measured arguments and moral clarity left a lasting impact on the philosophical community. He passed away in 2012, remembered as a leading voice against the death penalty.