Ashley Montagu
| Ashley Montagu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | June 28, 1905, London, England |
| Died | November 26, 1999 (aged 94), Princeton, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | British, American |
| Education | University of London, University of Florence, Columbia University |
| Occupation | Anthropoligst |
| Known for | |
| Notable works | |
| Website | |
Early life
Ashley Montagu was born Israel Ehrenberg on 28 June 1905 in the East End of London, England, to a working-class Jewish family.[1] He later changed his name to Montague Francis Ashley-Montagu and eventually became known simply as Ashley Montagu.
Education and career
Montagu studied at the University of London, where he studied psychology and anthropology. He continued his studies at the University of Florence in Italy and later emigrated to the United States, where he earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia University in 1937, studying under Franz Boas and Ruth Benedict.[1]
He taught at several institutions including Rutgers University, where he served as chairman of the Department of Anthropology from 1949 to 1955. He was also a visiting lecturer at Harvard University, Princeton University, and the University of California.
Notable/unique
Montagu is best known for his work challenging the biological concept of race. His 1942 book Man's Most Dangerous Myth: The Fallacy of Race argued that race is a social construct with no biological validity.[2] This work was highly influential and went through multiple editions.
In 1950, he was selected by UNESCO to draft the first Statement on Race, which rejected scientific racism and emphasized the unity of humankind.[3]
Montagu was also a prominent advocate for the importance of touch and nurturing in human development. His book Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin (1971) explored the crucial role of tactile stimulation in infant development and human health.
He appeared frequently on television, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, making anthropology accessible to popular audiences.
Death
Ashley Montagu died on 26 November 1999 in Princeton, New Jersey, at the age of 94.[4]
Published works
- Man's Most Dangerous Myth: The Fallacy of Race (1942)
- On Being Human (1950)
- The Natural Superiority of Women (1953)
- The Direction of Human Development (1955)
- Human Heredity (1959)
- Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin (1971)
- The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity (1971)
- Growing Young (1981)
