Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, recognizes exceptional meritorious service. The medal was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize notable service in the war. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy reintroduced it as an honor for distinguished civilian service in peacetime.
Gary Becker
A.M., 1953; Ph.D., 1955; University Professor in the Departments of Economics and Sociology, 1970–present.
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2007
“For pioneering applications of economic theory of human capital to show ways in which individual and family decisions are made on the basis of economics.”
Katharine Graham (1917–2001)
A.B. ’38; Former publisher and CEO of the Washington Post; Former member of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2002
“After nearly 35 years of leading The Washington Post Company—as publisher, chief executive officer and chairman of the executive committee—Mrs. Graham wrote her memoirs, “Personal History,” in 1997. The best-selling chronicle of her life with The Post won the Pulitzer Prize for biography.”
Hanna Holborn Gray
Assistant Professor in History, 1961–64; Associate Professor of History, 1964–72; President of the University of Chicago, 1978–93; Harry Pratt Judson Distinguished Service Professor of History, 1994–present
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991
“In the highest ranks of academic leadership, she has strengthened Yale University and the University of Chicago and ensured that they remain among the world’s great teaching and research universities. The United States honors Hanna Gray for devoting her abundant talent and energy to the causes of excellence, truth, and freedom.”
Friedrich August von Hayek (1899–1992)
Professor of Social and Moral Science in the Committee on Social Thought, 1950–64
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991
“The Road to Serfdom still thrills readers everywhere, and his subsequent works inspire people throughout the world because they possess the vigor and feel of real life—not just the hollow ring of abstract theory. Professor von Hayek has revolutionized the world’s intellectual and political life.”
Milton Friedman (1912–2006)
A.M., 1933; Research Assistant in the Social Science Research Committee, 1934–35; Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, 1946–48; Professor, 1948–62; Paul Snowden Russell Distinguished Service Professor, 1962–82; Paul Snowden Russell Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, 1982–2006.
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1988
“He has used a brilliant mind to advance a moral vision: the vision of a society where men and women are free, free to choose, but where government is not as free to override their decisions. That vision has changed America and it is changing the world. All of us owe a tremendous debt to this man’s towering intellect and his devotion to liberty.”
James D. Watson
Ph.B., 1946; S.B., 1947; D.Sc. (honorary), 1961
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1977
“Scholar, teacher, author and scientific pioneer, James D. Watson has challenged the mysteries of life itself and charted a new path in mankind’s endless search for truth. His intellectual courage and relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge have earned him the respect and admiration of his country and a permanent place as one of the great explorers of the 20th century.”
Thornton Wilder (1897–1975)
Lecturer, 1930–1937
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1963
“Artist of rare gaiety and penetration, he has inscribed a noble vision in his books, making the commonplaces of life yield the wit, the wonder and the steadfastness of the human adventure.”