![[c_wright_mills.jpg]] C. Wright Mills was an influential American sociologist, best known for his pioneering work on social structure and personality, his studies of the American elite, and his critiques of contemporary power structures. ### **Early Life and Education** Charles Wright Mills was born on August 28, 1916, in Waco, Texas. After attending Texas A&M University for two years, he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology and philosophy. He earned his Ph.D. from the [[University of Wisconsin]] in 1942, focusing on sociology and economics. ### **Career and Major Contributions** Mills began his career teaching at the [[University of Maryland]] and subsequently joined [[Columbia University]] in 1946, where he remained for the rest of his career. His work crossed disciplinary boundaries, blending sociology with psychology, economics, and political science. Mills is perhaps best known for his work on the concept of the sociological imagination, outlined in his 1959 book "[[The Sociological Imagination]]". This concept encourages individuals to view their personal issues within broader social and historical contexts, thus connecting personal troubles with public issues. In addition to his work on the sociological imagination, Mills also published notable studies on the American middle class and on the nation's power elite. His 1951 book "White Collar: The American Middle Classes" explored the problems and lifestyle of the middle class, portraying its discontent and alienation in post-World War II society. "[[The Power Elite]]," published in 1956, was perhaps his most controversial work. In it, Mills argued that the United States was dominated by a power elite, composed of political, military, and corporate leaders. These individuals, according to Mills, had a disproportionate amount of power and were often disconnected from the everyday lives and concerns of ordinary citizens. ### **Later Life and Legacy** C. Wright Mills died on March 20, 1962, from a heart attack. Despite his relatively short career, he left a substantial legacy in sociology and other social sciences. His works continue to be widely read and cited, and his concept of the sociological imagination remains a fundamental idea in sociology. His focus on issues of power, social class, and the relationship between individuals and society has had a lasting influence on the field. His critiques of contemporary power structures and his focus on the importance of historical and societal context in understanding individual experiences have helped shape modern sociology.