AUSTIN, John Langshaw (1911-60), British philosopher, one of the
prominent figures in 20th-century analytic and linguistic
philosophy . He was educated at the University of Oxford. After serving in British
intelligence during World War II, he returned to Oxford and taught philosophy until his
death. Seven of his essays were published during his lifetime. Posthumously published
works include Philosophical Papers (1961), Sense and Sensibilia (1962), and How
to Do Things with Words (1962).