William C. (Christopher) Barrett (1913—1992) was a professor of philosophy at New York University. Precociously, he began post-secondary studies at the City College of New York when 15 years old. He received his PhD at Columbia University. He was an editor of Partisan Review and later the literary critic of The Atlantic Monthly magazine. He is well-known for writing philosophical works for nonexperts. Perhaps the best known among these are A Study in Existential Philosophy and The Illusion of Technique, which remain in print.

Like many intellectuals of his generation, Barrett flirted with Marxism before turning his energies to providing readable introductions to European philosophical schools, notably existentialism. Irrational Man remains one of the most approachable reviews of existentialism in English.

Barrett was good friends with the poet Delmore Schwartz for many years. He knew many other literary figures of the day, including Edmund Wilson, Philip Rahv, and Albert Camus. He was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Heidegger, and was editor of zen buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki. In fiction his taste ran to the great Russians, particularly Dostoyevsky. He was the father of Susan and Michael Barrett, long time husband of Juliet Bigney Barrett and the grandfather of Madeleine, Natalie, Keegan, Kyra, and Rian. Barrett is also father to Ellen (Nell) Barrett through his marriage to Margaret Merrick Barrett, and the grandfather of Georgia and Clinton.

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