Origins & Early Life

Sir James George Frazer (; 1 January 1854 – 7 May 1941) was a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. Frazer was born on 1 January 1854 in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Katherine Brown and Daniel F. Frazer, a chemist. He attended school at Springfield Academy and Larchfield Academy in Helensburgh.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He studied at the University of Glasgow and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated with honours in classics (his dissertation was published years later as The Growth of Plato's Ideal Theory) and remained a Classics Fellow all his life. From Trinity, he went on to study law at the Middle Temple, but never practised. Four times elected to a Trinity Fellowship, he was associated with the college for most of his life, except for the year 1907–1908, spent at the University of Liverpool. He was knighted in 1914, and a public lectureship in social anthropology at the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Glasgow and Liverpool was established in his honour in 1921. He was, if not blind, then severely visually impaired from 1930 on.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He and his wife, Lilly, died in Cambridge,...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albion Woodbury Small — Contemporary (Born in 1854) (1854): Pioneering American sociologist who established the first independent department of sociology in the US.
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• Arthur Rimbaud — Contemporary (Born in 1854) (1854): Transgressive French poet whose work profoundly influenced modern literature and surrealism.
• Adam Kuper — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Influential British social anthropologist known for research in Southern Africa.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• Alan Mullery — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iconic English footballer and manager known for his time at Fulham and Spurs.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Alfred Stieglitz — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1864): Pioneering American photographer and art promoter who elevated photography to fine art.
• Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt — Shared historical date (05-07 · Died) (1915): American sportsman and businessman, known for his involvement in pioneering endeavors.
• Anne Baxter — Shared historical date (05-07 · Born) (1923): Acclaimed American actress known for her work in Hollywood and on Broadway.
• 1854 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1854
• January 1 (01-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 1
• 1941 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1941
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