Origins & Early Life

William Marvin Bass III (born August 30, 1928) is an American forensic anthropologist, best known for his research on human osteology and human decomposition. He has also assisted federal, local, and non-U.S. authorities in the identification of human remains. He taught at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and founded the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility, the first such facility in the world.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The facility is more popularly known as "The Body Farm", a name used by crime author Patricia Cornwell in a novel of the same name, which drew inspiration from Bass and his work. Bass has also described the body farm as "Death's Acre" – the title of the book on his life and career, co-written with journalist Jon Jefferson. Jefferson and Bass, under the pen name "Jefferson Bass", have also written several fictional works: Carved In Bone, Flesh and Bone, The Devil's Bones, Bones of Betrayal, The Bone Thief, The Bone Yard, The Inquisitor's Key, Cut To the Bone, and The Breaking Point. Though currently retired from teaching, Bass still plays an active research role in the university's forensic anthropology program. Bass was born in Staunton, Virginia...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agnès Varda — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alexander Bogdanov — Contemporary (Died in 1928) (1928): Polymath philosopher, pioneer of blood transfusion, and key Bolshevik revolutionary.
• 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.
• Alexander Grothendieck — Historical peer (Born in 1928) (1928): Pioneering figure in modern algebraic geometry and category theory.
• Alexei Abrikosov (physicist) — Historical peer (Born in 1928) (1928): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for low-temperature condensed matter physics.
• Bruce Onobrakpeya — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1932): Pioneering Nigerian artist known for printmaking, painting, and sculpture.
• Cameron Diaz — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1972): American actress known for comedy and drama, with films grossing over $3 billion.
• Charles Bean — Shared historical date (08-30 · Died) (1968): Pioneering Australian historian and official war correspondent for WWI.
• 1928 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1928
• August 30 (08-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 30