Ruth Benedict1887-1948

Earlier Years

Borne in New York Fascinated with death after her father

died Received her first degree in English

Literature at Vassar College. Received her Ph.D. from Colombia

University in Anthropology

Earlier Years cont…

She taught at Columbia University from 1923-1948

Worked under Franz Boas, another anthropologist

Friend and colleague to Margaret Mead Crested a co dependency with

Margaret and worked together with her.

Studies

One of the first to apply anthropology to advanced societies

She focused on the current societies and issues

Studied race and religion and it’s effects and influences on politics and society.

Accomplishments

Ruth wanted to break down and understand stereotypes with her work

Her studies of advanced civilizations lead her to study the Japanese and their culture during World War ii

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture

Trying to understand the people America was at war with

Other Famous Works

Race, Religion and Politics Patterns of Culture The Races of Mankind Zuni Mythology And many more…

Conclusion

Ruth Benedict wanted to understand why there was racism and prejudice within cultures.

She wanted to understand what drove societies today to react the way they do to certain classes of people.

Trough her work she hoped to break down the social barriers to help the progression of mankind.

Ruth Benedict: An American Anthropologist

Work Cited

•Anthropology, University of South Florida. Ruth Fulton Benedict. <http://anthropology.usf.edu/women/ruthb/ruthbenedict.htm>.

•NNDB. Ruth Benedict. <http://www.nndb.com/people/786/000097495/>.

•University, E-museums at Minnnesota State. Ruth Fulton Benedict. <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/abcde/benedict_ruth.html>.