Morrie Schwartz facts for kids

Morris S. Schwartz (born December 20, 1916 – died November 4, 1995) was an American professor and author. He taught sociology at Brandeis University. Sociology is the study of how people live and interact in groups. Morrie became widely known after his story was told in the best-selling book Tuesdays with Morrie. This book was written by Mitch Albom, who was one of Morrie's former students. Later, the book was made into a television movie in 1999, where actor Jack Lemmon played Morrie.

Who Was Morrie Schwartz?

Early Life and Family

Morrie Schwartz was born in New York City in 1916. His father, Charlie Schwartz, was an immigrant from Russia. He moved to the United States to find a better life. Morrie's mother passed away when he was only eight years old. His brother, David, developed polio when he was young. Polio is a serious illness that can affect muscles and movement. Later, Morrie's father married Eva Schneiderman. His father passed away later in life.

Morrie grew up in a Jewish family. As an adult, he was open-minded and learned about different beliefs from many religions. He studied hard and earned his advanced degree from the University of Chicago.

A Professor's Journey

Morrie married Charlotte Schwartz, and they had two sons named Rob and Jon. He became a respected professor of sociology at Brandeis University. He loved teaching and helping his students understand how society works. He also taught them about how people connect with each other.

Facing a Challenge: Morrie's Illness

When Morrie was 77 years old, he received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a serious illness that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It makes it hard for a person to move and control their muscles. Morrie passed away in November 1995, about a year and three months after his diagnosis.

The Story of Tuesdays with Morrie

A Special Friendship

Morrie became widely known after his death because of Mitch Albom's book, Tuesdays with Morrie. A "memoir" is a true story about a part of someone's life. Mitch Albom had been one of Morrie's students at Brandeis University many years before.

One day, Mitch saw Morrie on a TV show called Nightline. After seeing his old professor, Mitch called Morrie and started visiting him. He made fourteen trips to Morrie's home during the last weeks of Morrie's life. During this time, the ALS gradually affected him more. The book shares the stories of these visits, their deep conversations, Morrie's lessons about life, and his personal experiences.

From Book to Screen

The inspiring story from the book was made into a television movie in 1999. In the film, the famous actor Jack Lemmon played the role of Morrie Schwartz. He brought Morrie's wisdom and spirit to life for many viewers.

Morrie's Books and Ideas

Besides being a professor, Morrie Schwartz was also an author. He wrote several books, often sharing his thoughts on human relationships and how people deal with challenges. Some of his notable works include:

• The Mental Hospital: A Study of Institutional Participation in Psychiatric Illness and Treatment (written with Alfred H. Stanton)
• Social Approaches to Mental Patient Care (written with Charlotte Green Schwartz)
• The Nurse and the Mental Patient: a Study in Interpersonal Relations (written with Emmy Lanning Shockley)
• Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections on Living While Dying
• Morrie: In His Own Words

These books show Morrie's deep understanding of people and society. His later books, especially, shared his personal reflections on living fully. He wrote about this even when facing a serious illness.