 Mather became well known for his commitment to progressive social causes, serving as the first president of Promoting Enduring Peace.From the academy, to the court room and on the national stage, Mather was a determined advocate and activist for academic freedom and human rights.A harbinger of Mather’s willingness to stakeout unpopular positions in the service of academic freedom is what his biographer, Kennard Bork refers to as the “Kornhauser Affair” at Denison University in 1922.