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A sociologist from the University of Berkeley at California has been named a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, to be awarded by President Bill Clinton in the nation's capital later this month. Robert Bellah joins the heady company of novelists Toni Morrison and Barbara Kingsolver, along with musician and composer Quincy Jones, in this year'’ list of 12 honorees, according to a UC Berkeley spokeswoman.  

Bellah, who retired three years ago, is well-known for his writing, including a 1985 book titled “Habits of the Heart” that sold a half-million copies and was later printed again in an updated version. His book looked at individualism and the common good as two themes of American life. The professor emeritus, who specialized in the sociology of religion, is currently writing several more books, including one about Japan. 

The National Humanities Medals will be awarded, along with 10 Medal of the Arts, in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 20. The ceremony will be followed by dinner at the White House.