Seligman, C. G. (Charles Gabriel), 1873-1940

Charles Gabriel Seligman (1873-1940), ethnologist, was part of A.C. Haddon's Cambridge anthropological expedition to the Torres Strait and Borneo in 1898. He led an anthropological expedition to New Guinea in 1904, and in 1906 was asked by the Ceylon government to make an ethnological study of the Veddas. Seligman was Professor of Ethnology in London University, 1913-34, and President of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 1923-25.

From the guide to the Charles Seligman: Ethnological Notes, c.1910-1940, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

Charles Seligman, 1873-1940, was educated at St Paul's School. He qualified as a doctor and became Director of the Clinical Laboratory at St Thomas's hospital, and also treated shellshock victims during World War One. He became interested in tropical diseases and it was for this reason that he went on his first expedition to Borneo and the Torres Straits. Whilst there, he developed an interest in anthropology and the rest of his life was devoted to this discipline. He also attempted to combine disciplines, using psychology to explain anthropological problems. He first taught at the London School of Economics in 1910, and was appointed to the Chair of Ethnology of the University of London in 1913, the first of its kind at the University. He retired in 1934, and was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor. Brenda Seligman, d 1960, accompanied her husband on anthropological expeditions and published material in her own right. Like her husband she acquired her knowledge of anthropology whilst working in the field. She was particularly interested in kinship and the lives of women and children.

From the guide to the SELIGMAN, Brenda Zara, d 1960, and SELIGMAN, Charles Gabriel, 1873-1940, anthropologists, 1890-1975, (British Library of Political and Economic Science)

Anthropologist and medical doctor. In 1898 he went to New Guinea with the Cambridge Torres Strait expedition. In 1904 he returned to New Guinea as part of an expedition financed by Major Cook-Daniels.

From the description of On the morbid conditions met with among the natives of British New Guinea [manuscript] : a study in the evolution of disease / C. G. Seligmann. [1904-1908] (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225807648