Fortes, Meyer

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1906-04-25

Death 1982-01-27

Nationality: Britons,

Language: English,

Biographical notes:

Meyer Fortes (1906-1983), anthropologist, was born in Britstown, Cape Colony, on 25 April 1906. He carried out research on intelligence tests at University College London from 1927, for which he was awarded a Ph.D. in 1930. Thereafter, he became a research student at the London School of Economics, lecturing there, 1938-1939, and at Oxford, 1939-1941. He was head of the Sociological Department, Accra, Gold Coast, 1944-1946; Reader in Social Anthropology, Oxford University, 1946-1950; and William Wyse Professor of Social Anthropology, Cambridge University, 1950-1973. He was also a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 1950-1983. Fortes conducted field research in several parts of Africa, including Ashanti, Gold Coast, 1945-1946. He died in Cambridge on 27 January 1983.

From the guide to the Meyer Fortes: Correspondence and papers, 1921-1983, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

Meyer Fortes (1906-83), anthropologist, was Head of the Sociological Department, Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana), 1944-46; Reader in Social Anthropology, Oxford University, 1946-50; and William Wyse Professor of Social Anthropology, Cambridge University, 1950-73. He was a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 1950-83. Fortes conducted field research in several parts of Africa, including Ashanti, Gold Coast, 1945-46.

From the guide to the Meyer Fortes: Ashanti Social Survey, c.1873-1978, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)