Edward Burnett Tylor

Date of Birth: October 2, 1832

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 2, 1917

Biography

Sir Edward Burnett Tylor was an influential English anthropologist, often regarded as the founding figure of cultural anthropology. Born on October 2, 1832, in Camberwell, London, Tylor made significant contributions to the understanding of human culture and development. He was educated at Grove House School, Tottenham, and later at the Friends’ School in York. After the death of his parents, Tylor traveled extensively, which led to his interest in the study of different cultures. Tylor is best known for his work “Primitive Culture” (1871), where he introduced the concept of cultural evolution, proposing that societies develop in a progressive manner. He also coined the term “animism” to describe the earliest form of religion, which attributes spiritual essence to natural phenomena. Throughout his career, Tylor held several academic positions, including a readership at Oxford University, where he later became the first Professor of Anthropology. His work laid the groundwork for future anthropologists and established anthropology as a recognized scientific discipline.

5 Interesting Facts about Edward Burnett Tylor

1. Tylor was knighted in 1912 in recognition of his contributions to anthropology.

2. He was heavily influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which shaped his ideas on cultural development.

3. Tylor was a Quaker, which influenced his perspectives on human societies and cultures.

4. He coined the term “survivals” to describe cultural elements that persist from earlier stages of development.

5. 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.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edward Burnett Tylor

1. “The tendency of modern thought is unmistakably toward the study of human life as a branch of natural science.”

2. “Culture, or civilization, taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is 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.”

3. “The condition of culture among the various societies of mankind, in so far as it is capable of being investigated on general principles, is a subject apt for the study of laws of human thought and action.”

4. “It is a characteristic of all cultures that they tend to grow more complex and more specialized over time.”

5. “Primitive man must have originated the idea of a soul by reasoning from his own experiences.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no recorded information regarding Edward Burnett Tylor’s net worth, as his era and profession did not typically involve substantial personal wealth accumulation. His contributions were more intellectual and academic rather than financial.