Sir Edward Burnett Tylor: Father of Cultural Anthropology

Edward Burnett Tylor.jpg

Early Life and Education

Sir Edward Burnett Tylor was born on October 2, 1832, in Camberwell, London. He was part of a wealthy Quaker family, which owned a brass factory. Tylor attended Grove House School in Tottenham but left at the age of 16 due to his Quaker faith and the death of his parents[1][2].

Travels and Inspiration

In 1855, Tylor traveled to the Americas to recover from tuberculosis. During his travels, he met Henry Christy, an ethnologist and archaeologist, who inspired Tylor's interest in anthropology. This journey was pivotal in shaping his future career[2].

Contributions to Anthropology

Tylor is best known for his works "Primitive Culture" (1871) and "Anthropology" (1881), where he laid the foundation for the scientific study of anthropology. He introduced the concept of cultural evolutionism, proposing that societies progress through stages from savagery to civilization[1][2]. Learn more about his theories in the following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M7pKi-3o18

Key Concepts

- Cultural Evolutionism: Tylor believed that all societies evolve through three stages: savagery, barbarism, and civilization.

- Animism: He reintroduced the term animism, referring to the belief in the soul or spirit in all things, as the earliest form of religion[1].

Legacy

Tylor's definition of culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society" remains influential in anthropology today[2]. He was knighted in 1912 for his contributions to the field and is often regarded as the father of cultural anthropology[2].

Later Life and Death

Tylor continued to teach and write until his retirement. He passed away on January 2, 1917, in Wellington, Somerset[1].

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Birth	October 2, 1832, Camberwell, London
Education	Grove House School, Tottenham
Travel	Americas (1855)
Influence	Henry Christy
Major Works	"Primitive Culture" (1871), "Anthropology" (1881)
Key Concepts	Cultural Evolutionism, Animism
Definition of Culture	"That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society"
Recognition	Knighted in 1912
Death	January 2, 1917, Wellington, Somerset

Podcast

References

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Burnett_Tylor

[2] Sir Edward Burnett Tylor | British Anthropologist & Father of Cultural ...

[3] Sir Edward Burnett Tylor summary | Britannica