Franz Uri Boas was a German-American anthropologist and a pioneer of modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American Anthropology". source
Franz Uri Boas was a German-American anthropologist and a pioneer of modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American Anthropology".
Franz Boas's work is associated with the movement of anthropological historicism. source
Franz Boas's work is associated with the movement of anthropological historicism.
Studying in Germany, Franz Boas was awarded a doctorate in 1881 in physics while also studying geography. source
Studying in Germany, Franz Boas was awarded a doctorate in 1881 in physics while also studying geography.
Franz Boas then participated in a geographical expedition to northern Canada where he became fascinated with the culture and language of the Baffin Island Inuit. source
Franz Boas then participated in a geographical expedition to northern Canada where he became fascinated with the culture and language of the Baffin Island Inuit.
In 1887 Franz Boas emigrated to the United States where he first worked as a museum curator at the Smithsonian, and in 1899 became professor of anthropology at Columbia University where he remained for the rest of his career. source
In 1887 Franz Boas emigrated to the United States where he first worked as a museum curator at the Smithsonian, and in 1899 became professor of anthropology at Columbia University where he remained for the rest of his career.
Franz Boas was one of the most prominent opponents of the then popular ideologies of scientific racism, the idea that race is a biological concept and that human behavior is best understood through the typology of biological characteristics. source
Franz Boas was one of the most prominent opponents of the then popular ideologies of scientific racism, the idea that race is a biological concept and that human behavior is best understood through the typology of biological characteristics.
Franz Boas also worked to demonstrate that differences in human behavior are not primarily determined by innate biological dispositions, but are largely the result of cultural differences acquired through social learning. source
Franz Boas also worked to demonstrate that differences in human behavior are not primarily determined by innate biological dispositions, but are largely the result of cultural differences acquired through social learning.
Franz Boas also introduced the ideology of cultural relativism which holds that cultures cannot be objectively ranked as higher or lower, or better or more correct, but that all humans see the world through the lens of their own culture. source
Franz Boas also introduced the ideology of cultural relativism which holds that cultures cannot be objectively ranked as higher or lower, or better or more correct, but that all humans see the world through the lens of their own culture.
Franz Boas created the four field subdivision of anthropology which became prominent in American anthropology in the 20th century. source
Franz Boas created the four field subdivision of anthropology which became prominent in American anthropology in the 20th century.
Franz Boas was born in Minden, Westphalia. Although his grandparents were observant Jews, his parents embraced Enlightenment values, including their assimilation into modern German society. source
Franz Boas was born in Minden, Westphalia. Although his grandparents were observant Jews, his parents embraced Enlightenment values, including their assimilation into modern German society.
Early in life Franz Boas displayed a penchant for both nature and natural sciences. Boas vocally opposed anti-Semitism and refused to convert to Christianity, but he did not identify himself as a Jew. source
Early in life Franz Boas displayed a penchant for both nature and natural sciences. Boas vocally opposed anti-Semitism and refused to convert to Christianity, but he did not identify himself as a Jew.
From kindergarten on, Franz Boas was educated in natural history, a subject he enjoyed. In gymnasium, he was most proud of his research on the geographic distribution of plants. source
From kindergarten on, Franz Boas was educated in natural history, a subject he enjoyed. In gymnasium, he was most proud of his research on the geographic distribution of plants.
When he started his university studies, Franz Boas first attended Heidelberg University for a semester followed by four terms at Bonn University, studying physics, geography, and mathematics at these schools. source
When he started his university studies, Franz Boas first attended Heidelberg University for a semester followed by four terms at Bonn University, studying physics, geography, and mathematics at these schools.
In 1879, Franz Boas hoped to transfer to Berlin University to study physics under Hermann von Helmholtz, but ended up transferring to the University of Kiel instead due to family reasons. source
In 1879, Franz Boas hoped to transfer to Berlin University to study physics under Hermann von Helmholtz, but ended up transferring to the University of Kiel instead due to family reasons.
At Kiel, Franz Boas studied under Theobald Fischer and received a doctorate in physics in 1881 for his dissertation entitled "Contributions to the Understanding of the Color of Water". source
At Kiel, Franz Boas studied under Theobald Fischer and received a doctorate in physics in 1881 for his dissertation entitled "Contributions to the Understanding of the Color of Water".
In 1896, Franz Boas was appointed Assistant Curator of Ethnology and Somatology of the American Museum of Natural History under Putnam. source
In 1896, Franz Boas was appointed Assistant Curator of Ethnology and Somatology of the American Museum of Natural History under Putnam.
In 1897, Franz Boas organized the Jesup North Pacific Expedition, a five-year-long field-study of the natives of the Pacific Northwest, whose ancestors had migrated across the Bering Strait from Siberia. source
In 1897, Franz Boas organized the Jesup North Pacific Expedition, a five-year-long field-study of the natives of the Pacific Northwest, whose ancestors had migrated across the Bering Strait from Siberia.
Franz Boas's work in physical anthropology brought together his interest in Darwinian evolution with his interest in migration as a cause of change. source
Franz Boas's work in physical anthropology brought together his interest in Darwinian evolution with his interest in migration as a cause of change.
Franz Boas also contributed greatly to the foundation of linguistics as a science in the United States. source
Franz Boas also contributed greatly to the foundation of linguistics as a science in the United States.
Franz Boas published many descriptive studies of Native American languages, and wrote on theoretical difficulties in classifying languages, and laid out a research program for studying the relations between language and culture. source
Franz Boas published many descriptive studies of Native American languages, and wrote on theoretical difficulties in classifying languages, and laid out a research program for studying the relations between language and culture.
Franz Boas died of a stroke at the Columbia University Faculty Club on December 21, 1942 in the arms of Claude Lévi-Strauss. source
Franz Boas died of a stroke at the Columbia University Faculty Club on December 21, 1942 in the arms of Claude Lévi-Strauss.
Franz Boas remained active in the development and scholarship of folklore throughout his life. He became the editor of the Journal of American Folklore in 1908. source
Franz Boas remained active in the development and scholarship of folklore throughout his life. He became the editor of the Journal of American Folklore in 1908.
Franz Boas was an immensely influential figure throughout the development of folklore as a discipline. source
Franz Boas was an immensely influential figure throughout the development of folklore as a discipline.
