Gertrude Himmelfarb (1922–2019), also known as Bea Kristol, was an influential American historian specializing in intellectual history, moral philosophy, and political thought, with a focus on the Victorian era in Great Britain. Born in New York City to Jewish parents, she was a key neoconservative intellectual who critiqued relativism and postmodernism while advocating for traditional virtues. Her scholarship explored themes of morality, character, and social reform through works such as 'Victorian Minds' (1974), 'The De-Moralization of Society' (1995), and 'The Roads to Modernity' (2004), which compared British, French, and American enlightenment paths. She taught as a distinguished professor at Brooklyn College, contributed widely to journals and public debates, and received honors including the National Humanities Medal in 2004. Himmelfarb was married to Irving Kristol, a founding father of neoconservatism, and they had two children, including political commentator William Kristol. Her work bridged 19th-century history with 20th-century political ideology, influencing conservative movements and leaving a lasting legacy in discussions of ethics, history, and public policy.