Edward Burnett Tylor

Edward Burnett Tylor was born on the 2nd of October 1832 in Camberwell, London. He grew up as part of a wealthy Quaker family that owned a brass factory in the city. His father Joseph and mother Harriet Skipper raised him within this industrial and religious community. An elder brother named Alfred Tylor would later become a geologist. Young Edward attended Grove House School in Tottenham but left at age 16 without earning a degree. This departure followed the death of his parents and his own Quaker faith which discouraged university attendance. The course of his life changed dramatically when he developed tuberculosis at age 23. Medical advice dictated that he spend time in warmer climes to recover from the illness. In 1855 he left England for the Americas to follow these instructions. The experience proved formative and sparked a lifelong interest in studying unfamiliar cultures. During his travels he met Henry Christy who was a fellow Quaker and an ethnologist. Christy's association with Tylor greatly stimulated his awakening interest in anthropology. It also helped broaden his inquiries to include prehistoric studies.

Primitive Culture And The Birth Of A Discipline

Tylor published his first work based on his 1856 trip to Mexico with Christy. The book appeared under the title Anahuac: Or Mexico and the Mexicans, Ancient and Modern in 1861. He continued to study customs and beliefs of tribal communities both existing and prehistoric. His second major work Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the Development of Civilization arrived in 1865. The most influential work Primitive Culture followed in 1871 as a two-volume set. This publication became important for its thorough study of human civilization and contributions to the emergent field of anthropology. It exerted undeniable influence on young scholars such as J. G. Frazer who were to become Tylor's disciples. On the first page of Primitive Culture Tylor provided a definition that remains one of his most widely recognized contributions. He stated culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge belief art morals law custom and any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society. This definition established the context for the scientific study of anthropology based on evolutionary theories from Charles Lyell. His methods relied on comparative and historical ethnography.

When and where was Edward Burnett Tylor born?

Edward Burnett Tylor was born on the 2nd of October 1832 in Camberwell, London. He grew up as part of a wealthy Quaker family that owned a brass factory in the city.

What major life event changed the course of Edward Burnett Tylor's career?

The development of tuberculosis at age 23 forced Edward Burnett Tylor to leave England for warmer climes in 1855. This travel experience sparked his lifelong interest in studying unfamiliar cultures and led him to meet ethnologist Henry Christy.

How did Edward Burnett Tylor define culture in Primitive Culture?

Edward Burnett Tylor defined culture as that complex whole which includes knowledge belief art morals law custom and any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society. This definition established the context for the scientific study of anthropology based on evolutionary theories from Charles Lyell.

Why is animism significant to the work of Edward Burnett Tylor?

Edward Burnett Tylor reintroduced the term animism into common use during his lifetime and regarded it as the first phase in the development of religions. He described animism as the belief in spirits inhabiting and animating beings or souls existing in things.

When was Edward Burnett Tylor appointed Professor of Anthropology at Oxford University?

Edward Burnett Tylor was appointed the first Professor of Anthropology at Oxford University in 1896. Prior to this appointment he served as Keeper of the University Museum starting in 1883 and held the title of Reader in Anthropology from 1884 to 1895.

Edward Burnett Tylor

Primitive Culture And The Birth Of A Discipline

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Common questions

When and where was Edward Burnett Tylor born?

What major life event changed the course of Edward Burnett Tylor's career?

How did Edward Burnett Tylor define culture in Primitive Culture?

Why is animism significant to the work of Edward Burnett Tylor?

When was Edward Burnett Tylor appointed Professor of Anthropology at Oxford University?

Animism As The First Phase Of Religion

The Persistence Of Cultural Survivals

Oxford Appointments And Institutional Foundations

Edward Burnett Tylor

Primitive Culture And The Birth Of A Discipline

Continue Browsing

Common questions

When and where was Edward Burnett Tylor born?

What major life event changed the course of Edward Burnett Tylor's career?

How did Edward Burnett Tylor define culture in Primitive Culture?

Why is animism significant to the work of Edward Burnett Tylor?

When was Edward Burnett Tylor appointed Professor of Anthropology at Oxford University?

The Three Stages Of Social Evolution

Animism As The First Phase Of Religion

The Persistence Of Cultural Survivals

Oxford Appointments And Institutional Foundations