Origins & Early Life

Erving Goffman (; 11 June 1922 – 19 November 1982) was a Canadian-born American sociologist, social psychologist, and writer, considered by some "the most influential American sociologist of the twentieth century". In 2007, The Times Higher Education Guide listed him as the sixth most-cited author of books in the humanities and social sciences. Goffman was the 73rd president of the American Sociological Association. His best-known contribution to social theory is his study of symbolic interaction.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

This took the form of dramaturgical analysis, beginning with his 1956 book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Goffman's other major works include Asylums (1961), Stigma (1963), Interaction Ritual (1967), Frame Analysis (1974), and Forms of Talk (1981). His major areas of study included the sociology of everyday life, social interaction, the social construction of self, social organization (framing) of experience, and particular elements of social life such as total institutions and stigmas. Goffman was born 11 June 1922, in Mannville, Alberta, Canada, to Max Goffman and Anne Goffman, née Averbach. He was from a family of Ukrainian Jews who had emigrated...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aage Bohr — Contemporary (Born in 1922) (1922): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Agostinho Neto — Contemporary (Born in 1922) (1922): Angolan communist revolutionary, poet, and first President of Angola.
• Alain Resnais — Contemporary (Born in 1922) (1922): Pioneering French filmmaker exploring memory, consciousness, and narrative structure.
• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Alan Ritchson — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): American actor known for roles in Reacher, Titans, and superhero franchises.
• Albert Soboul — Contemporary (Died in 1982) (1982): Influential French historian specializing in the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras.
• Anna Akhmatova — Shared historical date (06-11 · Born) (1889): A seminal Russian poet whose work chronicled the trauma of the Soviet era.
• Ben Jonson — Shared historical date (06-11 · Born) (1572): Master dramatist of the English Renaissance, known for satire and comedy of humours.
• Alan J. Pakula — Shared historical date (11-19 · Died) (1998): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alexander I of Russia — Shared historical date (11-19 · Died) (1825): Emperor of Russia during the Napoleonic era, known for liberal reforms and military campaigns.
• 1922 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1922
• June 11 (06-11) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 11
• 1982 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1982
• November 19 (11-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 19