Origins & Early Life

Norbert Elias (German: [ˈnɔʁbɛʁt eˈliːas]; 22 June 1897 – 1 August 1990) was a German sociologist who later became a British citizen. He is especially famous for his theory of civilizing/decivilizing processes. Elias was born on 22 June 1897 in Breslau (today: Wrocław) in Prussia's Silesia Province to Hermann Elias (1860–1940) and Sophie Elias, née Gallewski (also Galewski, 1875–1942). His father was a native of Kempen (today: Kępno) and a businessman in the textile industry.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother was a native of the Jewish community of Breslau itself. After passing the abitur in 1915, Norbert Elias volunteered for the German army in World War I and was employed as a telegrapher, first at the Eastern front, then at the Western front. After suffering a nervous breakdown in 1917, he was declared unfit for service and was posted to Breslau as a medical orderly. The same year, Elias began studying philosophy, psychology and medicine at the University of Breslau, in addition spending a term each at the universities of Heidelberg (where he attended lectures by Karl Jaspers) and Freiburg in 1919 and 1920. He quit medicine in 1919 after passing the preliminary examination...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Amelia Earhart — Contemporary (Born in 1897) (1897): Iconic American aviator whose pioneering flights shaped early 20th-century aviation.
• Charles Kingsford Smith — Contemporary (Born in 1897) (1897): Australian aviation pioneer, famed for transpacific and trans-Tasman flights.
• Daniel K. Ludwig — Contemporary (Born in 1897) (1897): American shipping and industrial tycoon known for pioneering global ventures.
• A. J. P. Taylor — Contemporary (Died in 1990) (1990): Influential English historian specializing in 19th and 20th-century European diplomacy.
• Aaron Copland — Contemporary (Died in 1990) (1990): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Aishwarya Lekshmi — Contemporary (Born in 1990) (1990): Acclaimed Indian actress working primarily in Malayalam and Tamil cinema.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Shared historical date (06-22 · Born) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Adam Schiff — Shared historical date (06-22 · Born) (1960): Long-serving Democratic politician, former Congressman, and current U.S. Senator from California.
• Al-Qushayri — Shared historical date (08-01 · Born) (986): Eminent Arab scholar, Sufi philosopher, and master of Islamic sciences.
• Alphonsus Liguori — Shared historical date (08-01 · Died) (1787): Italian bishop, theologian, and founder of the Redemptorists.
• 1897 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1897
• June 22 (06-22) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 22
• 1990 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1990
• August 1 (08-01) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 1