Origins & Early Life

Sherry Beth Ortner (born September 19, 1941) is an American cultural anthropologist. She is a Distinguished Professor of Anthropology (Emerita) at UCLA. Ortner is known for her contributions to social theory and feminist theory, as well as for her ethnographic work in Nepal and the U.S. Her work has been widely translated and she has received numerous awards.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ortner grew up in a middle-class Jewish family of Eastern European descent in Newark, New Jersey. She is married to Timothy D. Taylor an ethnomusicologist and musicologist also at UCLA. She has a daughter from a previous marriage. Ortner graduated from Weequahic High School in 1958.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

She received her B.A. from Bryn Mawr College in 1962 and went on to study anthropology at the University of Chicago, where she received her M.A. in 1966, and her Ph.D. in 1970. She has taught at Sarah Lawrence College (1970–77); the University of Michigan (1977–94); the University of California, Berkeley (1994–96); Columbia University (1996–2004); and, since 2004, the University of California, Los Angeles. She has held research appointments at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (1973–74, and 1989–90), the Center for...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adnan Khayr Allah — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and former Minister of Defense, closely connected to the ruling family.
• Alan Mullery — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iconic English footballer and manager known for his time at Fulham and Spurs.
• Alfonso XIII — Contemporary (Died in 1941) (1941): King of Spain (1886-1931), whose reign spanned constitutional crises and republican upheaval.
• Al Oerter — Shared historical date (09-19 · Born) (1936): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Shared historical date (09-19 · Born) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Ali Hassan al-Majid — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Notorious Iraqi military figure, cousin of Saddam Hussein, known for brutal repression.
• Amy Johnson — Historical peer (Died in 1941) (1941): Pioneering English aviator, first woman to fly solo from London to Australia.
• Alec Baldwin — Historical peer (Born in 1958) (1958): Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth and comedic timing.
• Andie MacDowell — Historical peer (Born in 1958) (1958): Acclaimed American actress and model known for romantic and dramatic roles.
• Andrey Lavrov — Historical peer (Born in 1962) (1962): Three-time Olympic gold medalist and decorated Russian handball legend.
• 1941 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1941
• September 19 (09-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 19