(1902–83), U.S. longshoreman, philosopher, author, born in New York City; partially blind from age 7 to 15; read furiously upon recovery of his eyesight; 1920–43 was migrant worker but continued to read; 1943 joined longshoreman's union; worked a few days per week, read and wrote the rest of the time; first book, ‘The True Believer' (1951), demonstrated insights into nature of mass movements; received critical acclaim; was followed by ‘The Passionate State of Mind' (1955) and ‘The Ordeal of Change' (1963), collection of essays on human reactions to social and political upheaval; his background as self-educated scholar and working-class philosopher made him into a popular hero; continued as a dockworker until 1967; received Presidential Medal of Freedom 1982.