Origins & Early Life

Edward Sapir (; January 26, 1884 – February 4, 1939) was an American anthropologist-linguist, and one of the most important figures in the development of the discipline of linguistics in the United States. Born in German Pomerania, in what is now northern Poland, his family emigrated to the United States of America when he was a child. He studied Germanic linguistics at Columbia, where he came under the influence of Franz Boas, who inspired him to work on Native American languages. While finishing his Ph.D.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

he went to California to work with Alfred Kroeber documenting the indigenous languages there. He was employed by the Geological Survey of Canada for fifteen years, where he came into his own as one of the most significant linguists in North America, the other being Leonard Bloomfield. He was offered a professorship at the University of Chicago, and stayed for several years continuing to work for the professionalization of the discipline of linguistics. By the end of his life he was professor of anthropology at Yale. Among his many students were the linguists Mary Haas and Morris Swadesh, and anthropologists such as Fred Eggan and Hortense Powdermaker.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

With his linguistic background...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1884 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1884
• January 26 (01-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 26
• 1939 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1939
• February 4 (02-04) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 4