Philosophy historian Grene dead at 98

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 22 (UPI) -- Marjorie Grene, a noted Library of Living Philosophers historian, reportedly has died in Blacksburg, Va., at the age of 98.

The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that Grene was focus of the prestigious library's 29th volume, placing her in such elite intellectual company as Albert Einstein, John Dewey and Jean-Paul Sartre.

Despite her accomplishment, Grene downplayed the honor in a 2003 interview.

"I think," she said of the Living Philosophers organization, "they just desperately wanted a woman."

Aside from the philosophical honor, Grene is best known for helping found the philosophy of biology, a field of learning based on genetics, evolutionary theory and other scientific topics.

Grene, who studied with existential theorists such as Martin Heidegger and Karl Jaspers, also wrote several books about the philosophers Rene Decartes and Aristotle.

The Times said Grene, who died Monday of unspecified causes, is survived by two children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.