Date of Birth: September 13, 1931
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is an acclaimed American author and anthropologist, renowned for her works on human and animal behavior. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she grew up in a family that valued education and exploration. Her father, Laurence Marshall, co-founded the Raytheon Corporation, and her mother, Lorna Marshall, was a noted anthropologist. Elizabeth’s early exposure to her mother’s work sparked her interest in anthropology and ethnography. Thomas attended Smith College and later Harvard University, where she studied anthropology. Her early career was marked by significant fieldwork, particularly with the Ju/’hoansi people of Namibia (then South West Africa) and Botswana. These experiences formed the basis of her seminal work, “The Harmless People,” published in 1959, which offers an intimate look at the lives of the Ju/’hoansi. Over her career, Thomas has authored numerous books, blending her anthropological insights with narrative storytelling. Some of her notable works include “The Hidden Life of Dogs,” “The Tribe of Tiger,” and “The Old Way: A Story of the First People.” Her writing often explores the relationships between humans and animals, delving into the complexities of their interactions and the broader implications for understanding behavior and society.
5 Interesting Facts about Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
1. Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’s first book, “The Harmless People,” was based on her fieldwork with the Ju/’hoansi people and is considered a classic in anthropology.
2. She spent several years in Africa with her family, collecting ethnographic data, which greatly influenced her later works.
3. Thomas’s book “The Hidden Life of Dogs” became a bestseller and is credited with changing the way people perceive and treat their pets.
4. She has also written novels, including “Reindeer Moon” and “The Animal Wife,” which are set in prehistoric times and reflect her deep understanding of ancient human societies.
5. In addition to her writing, Thomas has also contributed to various academic journals and has been a speaker at numerous conferences on anthropology and animal behavior.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
1. “Animals are not property, and they’re not machines. They are living, breathing beings with their own needs and desires.”
2. “Understanding the natural world is not only a matter of curiosity but a moral obligation.”
3. “The stories of people are the stories of the world, and to understand one is to glimpse the other.”
4. “Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t even know we had.”
5. “The Ju/’hoansi taught me that the most important things in life are not things.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has achieved an estimated net worth of $1 million through her successful writing career and book sales.
Children
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has two children, a son named Jeremy and a daughter named Erika, both of whom have pursued their own successful careers.
Relevant Links
1. [Elizabeth Marshall Thomas on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Marshall_Thomas
5. [Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’s Official Website](http://www.elizabethmarshallthomas.net
