description Lewis Henry Morgan Overview
Lewis Henry Morgan was a foundational American anthropologist and social theorist whose work significantly shaped the discipline in the 19th century. In his book 'Ancient Society' (1877), he proposed a theory of cultural evolution that categorized human development into three stages: savagery, barbarism, and civilization. Morgan is also recognized for his comprehensive systematization of kinship terminology, which remains a core concept in anthropological studies. His research provided a systematic framework for understanding social structures.
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Lewis Henry Morgan ranks #31 of 191 in the Anthropologist ranking, behind Jack Goody, ahead of James Ferguson.
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What is Lewis Henry Morgan's theory of cultural evolution?
In his 1877 book *Ancient Society*, Morgan proposed that human societies develop through three distinct stages: Savagery, Barbarism, and Civilization. This unilineal evolutionary theory became highly influential in the early days of anthropology and sociology.
What Native American group did Lewis Henry Morgan study?
Morgan conducted pioneering ethnographic research on the Iroquois, specifically the Seneca nation. His detailed documentation of their social structure resulted in his foundational 1851 book, *The League of the Ho-dé-no-sau-nee or Iroquois*.
Why was Lewis Henry Morgan's book *Ancient Society* important to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels?
Marx and Engels were deeply influenced by Morgan's materialist approach to the evolution of human society and property. After Marx's death, Engels drew heavily on Morgan's findings to write *The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State*.
How did Lewis Henry Morgan contribute to the study of kinship systems?
He revolutionized the study of human relationships by identifying the difference between "descriptive" and "classificatory" kinship systems. His research, published in *Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family* in 1871, established the scientific study of kinship.
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