Origins & Early Life

Harold Garfinkel (October 29, 1917 – April 21, 2011) was an American sociologist and ethnomethodologist, who taught at the University of California, Los Angeles. Having developed and established ethnomethodology as a field of inquiry in sociology, he is probably best known for Studies in Ethnomethodology (1967), a collection of articles. Selections from unpublished materials were later published in two volumes: Seeing Sociologically and Ethnomethodology's Program. Moreover, during his time at University of Newark, which became Rutgers University, he enrolled in Theory of Accounts, a course that covered accounting and bookkeeping procedures.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Garfinkel realized from this class "even in setting up an accounting sheet, he was theorizing the various categories into which the numbers would be placed" which furthered his understanding of accountability. Harold Garfinkel was born in Newark, New Jersey on October 29, 1917, where he grew up in a Jewish family. His father, a furniture dealer, had hoped his son would follow him into the family business, but while he did work with his father, Garfinkel enrolled at the University of Newark to study accounting...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf von Baeyer — Contemporary (Died in 1917) (1917): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Andrew Wyeth — Contemporary (Born in 1917) (1917): Master American Realist Painter known for regional scenes of Pennsylvania and Maine.
• Arthur C. Clarke — Contemporary (Born in 1917) (1917): Pioneering science fiction writer, futurist, and popularizer of space travel.
• Amy Winehouse — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Iconic British soul artist blending jazz, R&B, and retro sounds.
• Anne McCaffrey — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering science fiction author, celebrated for the Dragonriders of Pern.
• Bernard Smith (art historian) — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering Australian art historian shaping the study of colonial visual culture.
• A. J. Ayer — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Anton LaVey — Shared historical date (10-29 · Died) (1997): Founder of the Church of Satan and proponent of LaVeyan Satanism.
• Andie MacDowell — Shared historical date (04-21 · Born) (1958): Acclaimed American actress and model known for romantic and dramatic roles.
• Anselm of Canterbury — Shared historical date (04-21 · Died) (1109): Benedictine philosopher and theologian, pivotal figure in medieval Church history.
• 1917 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1917
• October 29 (10-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 29
• 2011 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2011
• April 21 (04-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 21