Dr. Robert Butler

The Man Who Redefined Growing Old in America

Robert Butler

Early Life

Robert Neil Butler faced adversity from the earliest days of his life, as his parents separated just months after his birth in 1927. Raised by his grandparents on a chicken farm in Vineland, New Jersey, he developed a profound bond with his grandfather, who cared for sick chickens alongside him in their makeshift farm hospital.

The sudden death of his grandfather when Butler was seven, initially hidden from him, left an indelible mark and inspired his lifelong commitment to improving the care and treatment of older adults. Butler and his grandmother carried on through years of poverty, losing their farm during the Depression, surviving on government-surplus food, and ultimately losing all their possessions in a hotel fire—yet alongside the hardship, he witnessed his grandmother’s quiet determination, shaping his belief that aging could be a period marked by resilience and renewal.

Ageism

Dr. Butler coined the term “ageism” to describe discrimination against older adults. He fought to eliminate stereotypes and saw aging not as decline, but as a life phase worthy of dignity. His research and advocacy exposed society’s neglect of the older adults and demanded a shift in perception.

Reimagining Aging

Dr. Butler emphasized that longevity had increased more in the 20th century than in the previous 5,000 years. He argued that aging brought chances for reinvention and growth. He outlined practical ways to improve the care of older adults and reframe aging as a meaningful stage of life.

Robert Butler

Why Survive?

In 1975, Dr. Butler published Why Survive? Being Old in America, which won the Pulitzer Prize. The book documented the neglect, isolation, and poverty experienced by many older Americans. It was not just a critique—it offered concrete policy suggestions, including better housing, healthcare, and opportunities for older adults to remain active and involved.

Butler argued that longevity without purpose or support was not enough. He called for a national reevaluation of how society treats aging and older people.