Mary Douglas

Date of Birth: March 25, 1921

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: May 16, 2007

Biography

Mary Douglas was a British social anthropologist known for her writings on human culture and symbolism. Born as Margaret Mary Tew on March 25, 1921, in Sanremo, Italy, she spent much of her early life in England. She attended the University of Oxford, where she studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at St Anne’s College. After completing her undergraduate studies, she pursued postgraduate research at Oxford under the mentorship of renowned anthropologist Sir E. E. Evans-Pritchard. Douglas’s work is often associated with her groundbreaking book “Purity and Danger” (1966), where she explored the concepts of cleanliness, pollution, and taboo within different cultures. Her interest in how societies categorize and define what is considered “clean” and “unclean” led to significant contributions in the fields of anthropology and sociology. Another notable work, “Natural Symbols” (1970), further delves into the interrelation between societal structures and cultural symbols. Throughout her career, Mary Douglas was a prolific writer and thinker, producing several influential books and articles. She was elected a Fellow of the British Academy and was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in recognition of her contributions to social anthropology. Mary Douglas passed away on May 16, 2007, leaving behind a rich legacy of scholarly work that continues to influence contemporary anthropology.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Douglas

1. Mary Douglas was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to social anthropology.

2. Her book “Purity and Danger” (1966) is considered a seminal work in the field of anthropology, exploring the notions of cleanliness, pollution, and taboo.

3. She studied under the mentorship of Sir E. E. Evans-Pritchard at Oxford, a key figure in the development of social anthropology.

4. Douglas’s work “Natural Symbols” (1970) examines the relationship between societal structures and cultural symbols, influencing both anthropology and sociology.

5. She was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, one of the highest academic honors in the UK.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Douglas

1. “Dirt is matter out of place.”

2. “If you want to understand a culture, you need to understand its symbols.”

3. “The way we understand our world is through the categories we create.”

4. “Purity and impurity are not merely physical states but are deeply connected to social order.”

5. “Our ideas of what is natural are shaped by the structures of our society.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mary Douglas’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, as her wealth was not a significant aspect of her publicly known life. Her contributions to academia and anthropology are her most enduring legacy.