Derek Bok facts for kids

Derek Curtis Bok (born March 22, 1930) is an American lawyer and educator. He is best known for being the president of Harvard University for many years.

Early Life and Education

Derek Bok was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, in 1930. When he was young, his parents divorced. He then moved several times with his mother, brother, and sister. They eventually settled in Los Angeles, California.

He went to college at Stanford University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1951. Later, he studied law at Harvard Law School, where he earned his law degree in 1954. He also studied at Sciences Po in France and George Washington University.

Leading Harvard University

Derek Bok began teaching law at Harvard in 1958. He became the dean of the Harvard Law School in 1968. A dean is like a principal for a specific part of a university.

President of Harvard University

From 1971 to 1991, Bok served as the 25th president of Harvard. He took over after the previous president left suddenly. During his time, he helped Harvard and Radcliffe College work more closely together. This was a big step toward them becoming one university.

After stepping down in 1991, Bok continued to be involved with Harvard. He taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He also became a special university professor at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Focus on Student Learning

Derek Bok cared a lot about how students learned. He started a program called the Harvard Assessment Seminar. This program led to a popular book about how students can make the most of their college experience.

He also wrote many books about education after he retired as president. One of his books, The Shape of the River, won an award in 2001. This book looked at how colleges consider race when deciding who to admit.

The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard was created during his presidency. This center helps professors teach better. The Harvard Extension School also created the Derek Bok Public Service Prizes. These awards honor students who do great community service.

Interim President Role

In 2006, Derek Bok returned to lead Harvard temporarily. He served as the interim president from July 2006 to July 2007. This was after the previous president resigned and before Drew Gilpin Faust became the new president.

Personal Life and Family

In 1955, Derek Bok married Sissela Bok, who is a sociologist and philosopher. Her parents, Gunnar Myrdal and Alva Myrdal, were famous Swedish thinkers who won Nobel Prizes.

Derek and Sissela have a daughter named Hilary Bok. She is a philosophy professor at Johns Hopkins University.

Derek Bok comes from a family with many notable people. His father, Curtis Bok, was a judge. His grandfather, Edward Bok, was a well-known editor. His great-grandfather, Cyrus H. K. Curtis, founded a company that published popular magazines like The Saturday Evening Post.