Mead, Margaret
Published: December 17, 2009, 5:46 pm
Updated: February 17, 2011, 5:24 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Emily Monosson
Photo: Library of Congress LC-US262- 120226
Margaret Mead (1901-1978) was an American anthropologist well known for her research and writings on gender and culture in "primitive" societies and the implications of that research for humanity in general. Her 1928 book, Coming of Age in Somoa, was a bestseller and remains a classic in the literature of anthropology. In her later years, her prolific writings, frequent lectures, media interviews, and highly visible social activism made her the best known anthropologist of the 20th century. Her writings -- 20 books and numerous articles -- and spoken words continue to be often quoted by social and environmental activists, including perhaps most famously, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world."
She was affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History in New York for more than 50 years, serving for several years as Curator of Ethnology in the Department of Anthropology. The museum credits Mead as largely responsible for many of the artifacts on display in its Hall of Pacific Peoples, related to her field research in Bali, New Guinea and Somoa, among other places.
Mead studied anthropology at Barnard College and Columbia University in the early 1920s and later taught at Columbia and the New School for Social Research. She served as president of the American Anthropological Association (1960) and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1975). For the latter, she was the organization's second female president since its establishment in 1848. She received numerous honorary degrees and academic awards and, following her death in 1978, she was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Further Reading
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Cynthia Barakatt (Lead Author);Emily Monosson (Topic Editor) "Mead, Margaret". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth December 17, 2009; Last revised Date February 17, 2011; Retrieved May 21, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Mead,_Margaret>
The Author
Associate Director
The Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, Boston University
Cynthia Barakatt, formerly a member of the Encyclopedia of Earth's Editorial Board, is Associate Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future at Boston University. From 2008 through 2010, she served as the Director of Content Development for the Encyclopedia of Earth before joining the Pardee Center in 2011 ... (Full Bio)
Photo: Library of Congress LC-US262- 120226
Margaret Mead (1901-1978) was an American anthropologist well known for her research and writings on gender and culture in "primitive" societies and the implications of that research for humanity in general. Her 1928 book, Coming of Age in Somoa, was a bestseller and remains a classic in the literature of anthropology. In her later years, her prolific writings, frequent lectures, media interviews, and highly visible social activism made her the best known anthropologist of the 20th century. Her writings -- 20 books and numerous articles -- and spoken words continue to be often quoted by social and environmental activists, including perhaps most famously, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world."
She was affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History in New York for more than 50 years, serving for several years as Curator of Ethnology in the Department of Anthropology. The museum credits Mead as largely responsible for many of the artifacts on display in its Hall of Pacific Peoples, related to her field research in Bali, New Guinea and Somoa, among other places.
Mead studied anthropology at Barnard College and Columbia University in the early 1920s and later taught at Columbia and the New School for Social Research. She served as president of the American Anthropological Association (1960) and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1975). For the latter, she was the organization's second female president since its establishment in 1848. She received numerous honorary degrees and academic awards and, following her death in 1978, she was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Further Reading
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment