Tags
autodidact, Ayn Rand, Conservative, Early Flight, I.M.P., IMP, Isabel Mary Patterson, Libertarian, Literary Critic, Patterson Quotes, Record Flight, Rose Wilder, The God of the Machine, The Herald Tribune
That is what she goes by – – – I.M.P.
It is her byline in the Herald Tribune.
All of the many activities she engages in are on the edge. Most recently she was the sole passenger on a world record airplane ride.
That is Isabel Mary Patterson; IMP.
However, her real claim to fame is as an autodidactic iconoclast; and I say that in the most respectful terms.
She reads too much to be fooled by impostors.
She loves to tweak the nose of those in power. And she does it without fear.
Her favorite “tweakies” are weak-hearted politicians and do-gooders. She believes in self-subsistence and Independence. That could be why her first marriage ended so abruptly.
Born in January of 1886 she lived a hard-scrabble life in the west.
IMP had been raised in a log cabin on a Canadian Island. Her father could not seem to put down roots or do anything on a steady basis. That is probably where she learned that depending on one’s self is the only choice.
Then, on the other hand, she does not seem to be awed by the male personality. She judges people on what they have accomplished; not by gender, color or orientation.
Well – – – I must back up on that last statement.
She does not have much use for socialism – – – and many claim that she founded the basis of libertarianism. However, other than politically, she does not impinge on other people’s orientation.
Her platform is as a literary critic in the “Trib.” Even her boss is required to listen to her terse truths – – – if he wants to keep her on the staff; which he does. She sells newspapers.
They say birds of a feather – – – well, you know the rest. It apparently is true. IMP’s best friends were Ayn Rand and Rose Wilder. I use the past tense of ‘were’ because I have heard that she had a falling out with Ayn Rand.
I believe – – – someday far in the future – – – it will be said in print;
IMP had several books published and I have heard she is working on another one.
I sure hope it is full of “Patersonisms.” They are so much fun to contemplate.
Examples:
“A tax-supported, compulsory educational system is the complete model of the totalitarian state.”
“No law can give power to private persons; every law transfers power from private persons to government.”
“As freak legislation, the antitrust laws stand alone. Nobody knows what it is they forbid.”
“Most of the harm in the world is done by good people, and not by accident, lapse, or omission. It is the result of their deliberate actions, long persevered, in which they hold to be motivated by high ideals toward virtuous ends.”
I swear if anyone has anything more to say about IMP, in the very far future, it would be this:
waldotomosky 
Great post about a great woman. Many thanks :o)
Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Tell your wardens that I said hello. And – – – oh yes – – – please don’t sit on them while they are typing.
This wonderful. I have never heard of Ms. Paterson. Great discovery for me. Thank you.
I had the same feeling the first time I was introduced to her. An amazing story. The drive and the intelligence combined ended up by her making us aware of what happens when we stop thinking. And every time she got knocked down she got back up to trek towards her goal.
Wonderful post. Very interesting, history I knew nothing about.
She is one of the people that we should have in our midst today. Maybe one will come along.
Thanks for reading my posts.