Origins & Early Life

Paul Felix Lazarsfeld (February 13, 1901 – August 30, 1976) was an Austrian-American sociologist and mathematician. The founder of Columbia University's Bureau of Applied Social Research, he exerted influence over the techniques and the organization of social research. "It is not so much that he was an American sociologist," one colleague said of him after his death, "as it was that he determined what American sociology would be." Lazarsfeld said that his goal was "to produce Paul Lazarsfelds". He was a founding figure in 20th-century empirical sociology.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Lazarsfeld was born to Jewish parents in Vienna: his mother was the Adlerian therapist Sophie Lazarsfeld, and his father Robert was a lawyer. He attended the University of Vienna, eventually receiving a doctorate in mathematics (his doctoral dissertation dealt with mathematical aspects of Einstein's gravitational theory) in 1925. In the 1920s, he moved in the same circles as the Vienna Circle of philosophers, including Otto Neurath and Rudolf Carnap, and served as a "socialist activist". He came to sociology through his expertise in mathematics and quantitative methods, participating in several early quantitative studies...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld — Contemporary (Died in 1901) (1901): Finland-Swedish baron, renowned geologist, and pioneering Arctic explorer.
• Alberto Giacometti — Contemporary (Born in 1901) (1901): Swiss master of existential sculpture, known for elongated, fragile human figures.
• Alexandre Alexeieff — Contemporary (Born in 1901) (1901): Russian-born artist, filmmaker, and illustrator known for inventing the pinscreen technique.
• A Day at the Races (album) — Contemporary (Born in 1976) (1976): Queen's fifth studio album, a companion piece to A Night at the Opera.
• Adolph Zukor — Contemporary (Died in 1976) (1976): Pioneering Hungarian-American film producer, co-founder of Paramount Pictures.
• Agatha Christie — Contemporary (Died in 1976) (1976): The 'Queen of Crime,' a master of the mystery genre, best-selling author of all time.
• Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah — Shared historical date (02-13 · Died) (1021): Sixth Fatimid Caliph and 16th Ismaili Imam, known for a controversial reign.
• Alphonse Bertillon — Shared historical date (02-13 · Died) (1914): Pioneering biometrics researcher who developed anthropometry for criminal identification.
• Antonio da Correggio — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1489): Master of the Parma School, known for sensuous, dynamic High Renaissance painting.
• Bruce McLaren — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1937): Pioneering New Zealand racing driver and motorsport executive.
• 1901 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1901
• February 13 (02-13) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 13
• 1976 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1976
• August 30 (08-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 30