Origins & Early Life

Eric Robert Wolf (February 1, 1923 – March 6, 1999) was an anthropologist, best known for his studies of peasants, Latin America, and his advocacy of Marxist perspectives within anthropology. Wolf was born in Vienna, Austria to a Jewish family. Wolf has described his family as nonreligious, and said that he had little experience of a Jewish community while growing up. His father worked for a corporation and was a Freemason.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Wolf described his mother, who had studied medicine in Russia, as a feminist—"not in terms of declarations, but in terms of her stand on human possibilities." In 1933, his father's work moved the family to Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, where Wolf attended German Gymnasium. He describes his life in the 1920s and 30s in segregated Vienna and then in proletarianizing Czechoslovakia as attuning him early on to questions surrounding class, ethnicity, and political power. The social divisions in Vienna and conflicts in the region in the 1930s influenced Wolf's later scholarly work. Wolf and his family moved to England and then to the United States to escape Nazism. He attended the Forest...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Alan Shepard — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American astronaut, second in space and first American on the Moon.
• Alki Zei — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Acclaimed Greek novelist and children's author known for semi-autobiographical works.
• Akio Morita — Contemporary (Died in 1999) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Ali Sayad Shirazi — Contemporary (Died in 1999) (1999): Key Iranian military commander during the Iran-Iraq War, assassinated in 1999.
• Anthony Newley — Contemporary (Died in 1999) (1999): Versatile English performer, celebrated for his songwriting and stage presence.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Shared historical date (02-01 · Died) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Augustus II the Strong — Shared historical date (02-01 · Died) (1733): Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, known for his strong physique and patronage of the arts.
• Adolph Caesar — Shared historical date (03-06 · Died) (1986): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Alan Greenspan — Shared historical date (03-06 · Born) (1926): Influential American economist, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
• 1923 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1923
• February 1 (02-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 1
• 1999 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1999
• March 6 (03-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 6