Published in 1904. Josiah Royce was born in California where he began his teaching career. From 1882 he taught philosophy at Harvard where William James was an early influence. After the latter’s death, Royce became the leading American philosopher of his day, always applying his thought to concrete moral issues, and drawing upon an exceptional understanding of music, literature and history. In Conception of Immortality is Royce’s explanation of the mystery of life and the nature of man.