10 fun and interesting Claude Levi-Strauss facts

1. A Life in Pictures

Claude Levi-Strauss is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern anthropology, alongside James George Frazer and Franz Boas. His work has had a profound impact on the field, and his theories on structuralism and the study of myth and ritual have been highly influential. He is credited with introducing the concept of structuralism to anthropology, which is the idea that all aspects of culture can be understood in terms of underlying structures. His work has also been influential in other fields, such as linguistics, philosophy, and literary theory.

Also → Franz Boas: Father of American Anthropology

2. Claude Lévi-Strauss: A Life in Pictures

Claude Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist and ethnologist whose work was instrumental in the development of structuralism and structural anthropology. His theories focused on the analysis of social structures, and he argued that the underlying structures of human thought and behavior could be found in the organization of myths, rituals, and symbols. His work was highly influential in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and linguistics, and he is considered one of the most important figures in 20th century social science.

Also → Andreas Vesalius: Father of Physical Anthropology

3. The Founding Members of the École Libre des Hautes Études

Claude Levi-Strauss was a founding member of the École Libre des Hautes Études, a university-in-exile for French academics during World War II. Alongside him were Jacques Maritain, Henri Focillon, and Roman Jakobson, all of whom were renowned intellectuals in their respective fields. The École Libre des Hautes Études provided a safe haven for French academics to continue their research and studies during the war, and Levi-Strauss was proud to be a part of this initiative.

Also → Rabat: A City of Rich History & Notable Figures

4. The Life and Work of Claude Lévi-Strauss

In 1955, Claude Lévi-Strauss, already a renowned academic, achieved widespread fame in France with the publication of his book Tristes Tropiques. This work, which explored the relationship between primitive and modern societies, quickly became a bestseller and cemented Lévi-Strauss' reputation as one of the most influential intellectuals in the country. The book's success also helped to popularize the field of anthropology, which Lévi-Strauss had been studying for many years.

Also → Claude Bernard: The Father of Vivisection

5. Structural Anthropology: A Collection of Essays from the Master

In 1959, Claude Lévi-Strauss was appointed to a chair in Social Anthropology at the prestigious Collège de France, and around the same time, he published Structural Anthropology, a collection of essays that showcased his structuralist theories. This book provided readers with examples of his ideas, as well as a comprehensive overview of his approach to anthropology. His appointment to the Collège de France was a major milestone in his career, and his book was a major contribution to the field of anthropology.

Also → Rita Levi-Montalcini: A Pioneering Physiologist

6. The Impact of La Pensée Sauvage

In 1962, Claude Lévi-Strauss, the renowned French anthropologist, published his most influential work, La Pensée Sauvage, which was later translated into English as The Savage Mind. This book was a groundbreaking exploration of the human mind, examining the ways in which humans think and reason. It was a major contribution to the field of anthropology, and it has had a lasting impact on the way we understand the human mind and its relationship to culture.

Also → The Rudolf Virchow Award

7. A Life in Pictures

Claude Levi-Strauss was a renowned French anthropologist who was highly esteemed by universities around the world. He was appointed to the chair of Social Anthropology at the Collège de France in 1959, a position he held until 1982. His contributions to the field of anthropology were so significant that he was elected to the Académie française in 1973, a prestigious honor that recognizes the highest level of achievement in the French language and culture.

Also → Jean Piaget: The Father of Cognitive Development

8. Claude Lévi-Strauss: The Father of Anthropology

Claude Lévi-Strauss, a renowned French anthropologist, believed that the human mind was fundamentally the same regardless of whether it was "savage" or "civilized". He argued that the same structures and characteristics of the human mind could be found in all cultures, regardless of their level of development. This groundbreaking idea revolutionized the field of anthropology and has since become a cornerstone of the discipline.

Also → Dexter Fletcher: Voice of McDonald's TV Ads, Neil Strauss' Audio Book

9. Claude Lévi-Strauss and the Guaycuru Indians

Claude Lévi-Strauss and his wife, Dina, a trained ethnographer, conducted their anthropological research in Brazil from 1935 to 1939. During this time, they studied the Guaycuru and Bororo Indian tribes, immersing themselves in the culture by staying among them for a couple of days. This allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the tribes' customs, beliefs, and traditions, which they documented in their research.

10. Claude Levi-Strauss and the Tupi-Kawahib Expedition

In 1938, Claude Levi-Strauss and his team embarked on a second, extended expedition to study the Nambikwara and Tupi-Kawahib societies. This expedition lasted for more than six months, during which time they conducted extensive research into the cultures, customs, and languages of these two distinct societies. Through their research, they were able to gain a better understanding of the social and cultural dynamics of these two societies, as well as the ways in which they interacted with each other. The findings of this expedition were later published in a book, which provided a valuable insight into the lives of these two societies.