Born the eldest son of a family of eight, Đurić's father, Nikola, was a teacher and writer[4] who introduced him toSerbian epic poetry,[5] which would influence his future career. He began to write and publish poetry and literary criticism early in life. In 1918, Đurić was living inOsijek, where he tried to publish a work on Serbian epic poetry titledSmrt majke Jugovića.Austro-Hungarian statecensors based in Osijek banned the paper on the grounds that it "threatens the national interests".[4] Đurić graduated from theUniversity of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy and defended hisPhD thesis at theUniversity of Zagreb in 1929.[4]
He worked as a teacher at agymnasium inZemun andSremska Mitrovica where he published poems and essays in a local journalSerbia.[4] He went on to work as a university professor teaching the history ofAncient Greek literature, a post which he held for four decades.[6][7]
TheKornelije Stanković Musical Society of Belgrade elected him a full member, and Đurić later served as the president of the organisation.[10] Between 1952 and 1957 Đurić served as the president of theSerbian Literary Guild, chief editor of several academic journals and a contributor to 96 journals and magazines. The Belgrade Psychoanalytical Society made him a full member, and he translated some of the most influential works of psychoanalytical literature intoSerbian.[11]
A completebibliography of Đurić's works consists of around 400 titles containing more than 10,000 pages.[9][4]
TheWorld War II puppet government of Serbia demanded that notable intellectuals sign a document that demanded "order and obedience" from them and "patriotism in the fight against communists".[10] Đurić refused to sign it[12] on the grounds that more than half of his students were part of theYugoslav Partisans.[3] When a music professor stopped him and warned him the Germans would not forget his disobedience, Đurić answered: "It's easy for you. You playdiple, while I teach studentsethics!"[13][14] This statement became a symbol of personal integrity in Serbian and Yugoslav society.[15]
Đurić was awarded the city ofBelgrade's October Award, the Seventh July Award, theOrder of Saint Sava and the Yugoslav Order of Labour. A street inKaraburma is named after him.[16] The Association of Literary Translators of Serbia has awarded the Miloš N. Đurić Award annually since 1969.[17][18] It is considered the most important Serbian prize for translation.[10]Mihailo Pupin wrote highly of his work and philosophy.[19] The title of one ofMilovan Vitezović's poetry collections—Na času kod profesora Miloša N. Đurića—honours him.[20]
