Robert N. Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert N. Butler
|
|
|---|---|
Butler in 2004
|
|
| Born |
Robert Neil Butler
January 21, 1927 |
| Died | July 4, 2010 (aged 83) New York, New York, US
|
| Alma mater | Columbia University (BA, MD) |
| Awards | Pulitzer Prize (1976) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
Robert Neil Butler (born January 21, 1927, died July 4, 2010) was an American doctor, a specialist in aging, and a writer. He was the very first director of the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Butler is famous for helping older people and for studying how to age in a healthy way. He also researched conditions like dementias, which affect memory and thinking.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Butler grew up with his grandparents in Vineland, New Jersey. When he went to medical school, he noticed something that bothered him. Many of his teachers did not treat older people or their illnesses with respect. He later called this negative attitude "ageism".
He studied at Columbia College of Columbia University. While there, he was the editor of the student newspaper, Columbia Daily Spectator. He was also a member of the Philolexian Society, a literary and debate group.
Contributions to Science
Understanding Healthy Aging
From 1955 to 1966, Dr. Butler led an important study at the National Institute of Mental Health. This study looked at healthy older people living in their communities. It was one of the first studies to combine many different areas of science.
This research led to a very important book called Human Aging. His work helped show that losing your memory or thinking skills (often called senility) is not a normal part of getting older. Instead, it is often caused by a disease.
Fighting Ageism
In 1969, Dr. Butler created the word "ageism". He used this word to describe unfair treatment against older people. He based it on words like sexism (unfair treatment based on gender) and racism (unfair treatment based on race).
Dr. Butler explained that ageism has three parts. First, it includes bad ideas or feelings about older people and the aging process. Second, it involves treating older people unfairly. Third, it includes rules or systems that keep harmful ideas about older people going.
Leading the National Institute on Aging
In 1975, Dr. Butler became the first director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). This is a part of the National Institutes of Health. He stayed in this role until 1982.
While at the NIA, he made Alzheimer's disease a top research goal for the country. This meant more money and effort went into studying this condition.
Founding New Organizations
After leaving the NIA in 1982, Dr. Butler started the Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This was the first department in a U.S. medical school focused on the health of older adults.
He also helped create several other important groups. These include the Alzheimer's Disease Association and the American Federation for Aging Research. These groups work to improve the lives of older people and support research on aging.
Dr. Butler also founded the International Longevity Center-USA. This group teaches people how to live longer and healthier lives. Today, this center is part of Columbia University.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Butler received many awards for his important work. He won the 10th Annual Heinz Award in the Human Condition category. This award recognized his efforts to help older Americans and improve their quality of life.
He also received special degrees from universities in Sweden and the United States. Other honors include the Lienhard Medal and a Hall of Fame Award from the American Society of Aging.
Film Appearance
Dr. Butler appeared in a 2009 movie called I Remember Better When I Paint. This film shows how art can help people with Alzheimer's disease. It also explores how these new ideas can change how society views the disease.
