Ariel Durant: The Ukrainian-born force behind a monumental history of human civilization

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born Chaya Kaufman in the Russian Empire, Ariel Durant became a literary powerhouse who coauthored the epic Story of Civilization. From roller-skating to her wedding to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her life was as unconventional as her partnership with Will Durant, which spanned nearly seven decades of collaboration.

Born in 1898 in Proskurov, Ariel Durant emigrated to the United States in 1901. Her path to becoming a celebrated historian began at the Ferrer Modern School in New York City, where she met her future husband, Will Durant. Their union was unconventional from the start; they married in 1913 when Ariel was just 15 years old. She famously roller-skated to City Hall for the ceremony, a detail that captures the spirited personality that led Will to nickname her after the swift and mischievous character from Shakespeare's The Tempest.

The couple's intellectual partnership resulted in the monumental series The Story of Civilization. Their rigorous work was recognized in 1968 when they were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction for the tenth volume, Rousseau and Revolution. Beyond the Pulitzer, their contributions were honored with the Golden Plate Award in 1976 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented by Gerald Ford in 1977. Ariel was also recognized individually, being named Woman of the Year by Los Angeles.

Their life together was defined by a deep, evolving connection. In their 1978 joint autobiography, they reflected on a partnership that lasted until their deaths in 1981, occurring just two weeks apart. Ariel once remarked to her granddaughter that it was their fundamental differences that allowed them to grow together. Today, their legacy remains preserved in their extensive body of work, which continues to be cataloged and studied, standing as a testament to a unique collaborative spirit that shaped the way many understand the narrative of human history.

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