Margaret Mead Biography

Occup.Scientist
FromUSA
BornDecember 16, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
DiedNovember 15, 1978
New York City, New York, USA
CausePancreatic cancer
Aged76 years
Early Life and Education
Margaret Mead was born upon December 16, 1901, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She was the oldest of 5 kids in a family with a strong academic background. Her dad, Edward Sherwood Mead, was a teacher of financing at the University of Pennsylvania, and her mom, Emily Fogg Mead, was a sociologist. Mead was deeply affected by her family's intellectual environment and devoted to an academic path from a young age. She participated in DePauw University in Indiana at first, but moved to Barnard College in New York City, where she made her Bachelor's degree in 1923. Mead then pursued graduate studies in sociology at Columbia University, where she was mentored by notable figures such as Franz Boas and Ruth Benedict, earning her Master's degree in 1924 and Ph.D. in 1929.

Anthropological Research and Career
Mead's profession was marked by substantial fieldwork that contributed substantially to the field of cultural sociology. Her very first major fieldwork was carried out in Samoa, which led to the publication of her landmark work "Coming of Age in Samoa" in 1928. The book argued that teenage years in Samoa was much less difficult than in the United States, suggesting that cultural elements rather than biological determinism formed human habits. This work positioned Mead as a prominent public intellectual and opened discussions on character and culture.

Following her time in Samoa, Mead carried out even more ethnographic research studies in locations such as New Guinea and Bali. Her book "Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies" (1935) analyzed different roles of gender across cultures, broadening on the argument that gender roles are culturally constructed instead of inherent.

Later Work and Contributions
Mead's later works continued to explore themes related to culture, child-rearing, and the relationships in between people and their cultures. She held a long-standing position at the American Museum of Natural History, where she functioned as a manager of ethnology from 1926 to 1978. Mead likewise taught at a number of academic institutions, notably Columbia University and New York University.

Throughout her profession, Mead was understood for her ability to bring anthropology to the general public, often composing in a way that was available to a broad audience. She utilized her research study to discuss the problems of the time, especially those associated to women's rights, kid advancement, and education, and advocated for cultural understanding and peace.

Personal Life
Margaret Mead's personal life was as vibrant as her expert ventures. She was married 3 times: to Luther Cressman, Reo Fortune, and Gregory Bateson, each of whom influenced her work in various ways. Her marriage to Bateson, a respected anthropologist, was especially significant. Together, they had a daughter, Mary Catherine Bateson, who also became a well-known anthropologist and author.

Mead had a close, lifelong professional and individual relationship with Ruth Benedict, who was both a coach and confidant. Their partnerships considerably affected the field of sociology.

Tradition and Death
Margaret Mead passed away on November 15, 1978, in New York City. She left an abundant legacy, having actually authored more than 20 books and various short articles that exceptionally affected both anthropology and public discourse on cultural problems. Mead was honored posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1979. Her work continues to provoke discussion and inspire brand-new generations of anthropologists.

Margaret Mead stays an ultimate figure in understanding cultural sociology, understood for her capability to communicate complicated ideas to the general public and her enthusiastic advocacy for social change.

Our collection contains 39 quotes who is written / told by Margaret, under the main topics: Age - Science - Environmental - Women - Dad.

Related authors: Franz Boas (Scientist), Ruth Benedict (Scientist), Gregory Bateson (Scientist), Mary Catherine Bateson (Scientist), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

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39 Famous quotes by Margaret Mead