The Life and Death of Franz Boas

Franz Boas, widely considered the founder of modern and American anthropology, died seventy years ago today.  He applied rigorous research methodology, once reserved for the natural sciences, to anthropology.   Boas is credited with the idea of culture as learned behavior, emphasizing the virtue in cultural diversity.  A vocal opponent of prejudice and racism, Boas helped scientists fleeing Nazi Germany during WWII.  On December 21, 1942 while delivering a speech concerning racial issues, Boas collapsed and died in the arms of his colleague and protégé, Claude Lévi-Strauss.

Franz Boas re-enacting the Kwakiutl hamatsa ritual dance for an exhibit at the United States National Museum (1895).

Post by Annie Tête, STEM Education Coordinator

Join us in 2013 for The National WWII Museum Robotics Challenge!

SciTech Tuesday will return after the holidays on January 7.