Mason Cooley (1927 – July 25, 2002) was an
American aphorist
An aphorism (from Greek ἀφορισμός: ''aphorismos'', denoting 'delimitation', 'distinction', and 'definition') is a concise, terse, laconic, or memorable expression of a general truth or principle. Aphorisms are often handed down by tra ...
known for his witty aphorisms. One of these such aphorisms Cooley developed was "The time I kill is killing me."
He was professor emeritus of French, speech and world literature at the
College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a public university in Staten Island, New York. It is one of the 11 four-year senior colleges within the City University of New York system. Programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional studie ...
. He was also an assistant professor of English at
Columbia University
Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manha ...
from 1959 to 1967 and an adjunct professor from 1980 to 1988.
He received his B.A. from
San Diego State University
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) syste ...
and his Ph.D. from
Oxford
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the Un ...
.
1927 births
2002 deaths
San Diego State University alumni
Columbia University faculty
Aphorists
College of Staten Island faculty
Alumni of the University of Oxford
American expatriates in England
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