Origins & Early Life

David Rolfe Graeber (; February 12, 1961 – September 2, 2020) was an American anthropologist and anarchist social and political activist. His influential work in social and economic anthropology, particularly his books Debt: The First 5,000 Years (2011), The Utopia of Rules (2015), Bullshit Jobs (2018), and The Dawn of Everything (2021), and his leading role in the Occupy movement earned him recognition as one of the foremost anthropologists and left-wing thinkers of his time. Born in New York City to a working-class family, Graeber studied at Purchase College and the University of Chicago, where he conducted ethnographic research in Madagascar under Marshall Sahlins and obtained his doctorate in 1996. He was an assistant professor at Yale University from 1998 to 2005, when the university controversially decided not to renew his contract.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Unable to secure another position in the United States, Graeber entered "academic exile" in England, where he was a lecturer and reader at Goldsmiths' College from 2007 to 2013 and a professor at the London School of Economics from 2013. In his early scholarship, Graeber specialized in theories of value (Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value, 2002...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Sorkin — Contemporary (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Andrew Forrest — Contemporary (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering Australian mining magnate and philanthropist, founder of Fortescue.
• Andy Lau — Contemporary (Born in 1961) (1961): Iconic Hong Kong actor, singer, and producer with a four-decade global career.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Albert Uderzo — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• Armando Manzanero — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Mexican composer and singer, celebrated for defining the romantic sound of postwar Latin America.
• 13th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (02-12 · Born) (1876): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Abraham Lincoln — Shared historical date (02-12 · Born) (1809): 16th President of the United States; guided the nation through the Civil War.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Shared historical date (09-02 · Born) (1953): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Andrew Grove — Shared historical date (09-02 · Born) (1936): Visionary engineer and CEO who drove Intel to global semiconductor dominance.
• 1961 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1961
• February 12 (02-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 12
• 2020 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2020
• September 2 (09-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 2