"Leo Strauss [1899–1973] was born in Germany in 1899 and studied philosophy, natural science, and mathematics there, where he attended courses taught by Husserl and Heidegger. Strauss worked as a researcher for Jewish studies in Berlin, then in 1932 left Germany and eventually came to the United States. He taught at the new School for Social Research from 1938-1949, then at the University of Chicago from 1949 to 1967, Claremont Men's College in 1968-69, and St. John's College until his death in 1973. Leo Strauss was the Robert Maynard Hutchins Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in Political Science at the University of Chicago...." (from Straussian.net)

"...Strauss is known for his controversial interpretations of political philosophers, including Xenophon and Plato. Strauss wrote an influential critique of modern political philosophy, i.e., philosophy since Machiavelli, arguing that it suffers from an inability to make value judgments about political regimes, even about obviously odious ones. As a model for how political philosophy should proceed, Strauss held up the work of the Ancients, i.e., Xenephon and Plato. He defended the antihistoricist position that it is possible for a person to grasp the thought of philosophers of different eras on their own terms, i.e., unencumbered by presuppositions inherent in his own historical context. Strauss's works include Natural Right and History (195[3]), Thoughts on Machiavelli (1958), [What Is Political Philosophy? (1959),] and The City and Man (1964).... " (from Encyclopedia.com)

"...Straussianism, as Strauss's philosophy has come to be called, is predicated on the belief that 20th century relativism, scientism, historicism, and nihilism have been responsible for the deterioration of modern society and philosophy. Some Straussians believe that "universal principles of right" exist and are knowable through careful study of those philosophers who believed in such principles, especially Plato and Aristotle. They reject the modern tendency to interpret the ancient philosophers within the context of the era in which they lived, believing that universal principles transcend historicity...." (from Wikipedia.com)