# G. E. M. Anscombe

> British analytic philosopher

**Wikidata**: [Q229646](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229646)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._E._M._Anscombe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/g-e-m-anscombe

## Summary

G. E. M. Anscombe (1919–2001) was a British analytic philosopher, theologian, translator, and writer who became one of the most prominent female philosophers of the 20th century. She is best known for her work in philosophy of mind, ethics, and as a leading interpreter of Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophy. Anscombe was the first woman to hold a professorship in philosophy at the University of Cambridge and was elected a Fellow of both the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

## Biography

- **Born**: March 18, 1919
- **Nationality**: British (United Kingdom)
- **Education**: Studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford; Newnham College, Cambridge; and the University of Oxford
- **Known for**: Philosophy of mind, ethics, Wittgenstein scholarship, and as a leading analytic philosopher
- **Employer(s)**: University of Cambridge
- **Field(s)**: Philosophy, Theology, Translation, Writing

## Contributions

- **Major Philosophical Works**: Published influential papers on intention, ethics, and philosophy of mind, including "Intention" (1957) which became a foundational text in philosophy of action
- **Wittgenstein Scholarship**: Became a leading interpreter of Ludwig Wittgenstein's work, having studied under him at Cambridge
- **Translation Work**: Translated major philosophical works, including Wittgenstein's *Philosophical Investigations* into English
- **Theological Work**: Published "The Reason of Action" and engaged with Thomistic philosophy, influenced by Thomas Aquinas
- **Academic Leadership**: First woman to hold a professorship in philosophy at the University of Cambridge
- **Teaching**: Taught at the University of Cambridge, influencing generations of philosophers

## FAQs

### What was G. E. M. Anscombe's most famous philosophical work?

Her 1957 work "Intention" is considered one of the most important works in philosophy of action, analyzing the concept of intention and its role in human agency.

### Where did G. E. M. Anscombe study and teach?

She studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford and Newnham College, Cambridge, and later taught at the University of Cambridge, where she became the first female professor of philosophy.

### Who influenced G. E. M. Anscombe's philosophy?

She was deeply influenced by Ludwig Wittgenstein, under whom she studied at Cambridge, as well as by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, whose work on ethics and metaphysics shaped her philosophical outlook.

### What awards and recognition did G. E. M. Anscombe receive?

She was elected a Fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, received the Aquinas Medal, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Navarre.

### What was G. E. M. Anscombe's contribution to Wittgenstein scholarship?

She became one of the leading interpreters of Wittgenstein's philosophy and translated his major work "Philosophical Investigations" into English, making his ideas accessible to English-speaking philosophers.

## Why They Matter

G. E. M. Anscombe fundamentally shaped analytic philosophy in the 20th century, particularly in the areas of philosophy of mind and action theory. Her work on intention provided a rigorous analytical framework that continues to influence contemporary philosophy of action. As the first woman to hold a professorship in philosophy at Cambridge, she broke significant barriers in academic philosophy and paved the way for future generations of women philosophers. Her translation of Wittgenstein's *Philosophical Investigations* made his later philosophy accessible to a wider audience, and her theological work helped bridge analytic philosophy with Christian philosophy. Her influence extends through her students, her published works, and her role in interpreting Wittgenstein's legacy.

## Notable For

- First woman to hold a professorship in philosophy at the University of Cambridge
- Author of "Intention" (1957), a foundational text in philosophy of action
- Leading translator of Wittgenstein's "Philosophical Investigations"
- Fellow of the British Academy
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Recipient of the Aquinas Medal
- Influential interpreter of Aristotelian and Thomistic ethics

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe was born on March 18, 1919. She pursued her higher education at St Hugh's College, Oxford, before continuing her studies at Newnham College, Cambridge. Her academic journey placed her at two of Britain's most prestigious universities, where she would eventually become a transformative figure in philosophy.

### Academic Career

Anscombe's academic career culminated at the University of Cambridge, where she became the first woman to hold a professorship in philosophy. This achievement represented a significant breakthrough for women in academic philosophy, a field historically dominated by men. Her position at Cambridge allowed her to influence generations of students and contribute to the development of analytic philosophy.

### Philosophical Work and Influences

Anscombe's philosophical work was shaped by three major influences: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas. From Wittgenstein, she absorbed the methods of analytic philosophy and language analysis. From Aristotle, she drew insights into ethics and metaphysics. From Aquinas, she incorporated theological perspectives and natural law theory. This unique synthesis of influences allowed her to make original contributions across multiple areas of philosophy.

Her work in philosophy of mind focused on the concept of intention and its role in human action. Her 1957 work "Intention" remains a standard reference in the field, analyzing how intentions relate to actions and the nature of intentional behavior.

### Translation and Scholarship

One of Anscombe's significant contributions was her translation of Wittgenstein's "Philosophical Investigations." This translation made Wittgenstein's later philosophical work accessible to English-speaking philosophers and scholars worldwide, cementing her role in the interpretation and dissemination of Wittgensteinian philosophy.

### Recognition and Awards

Throughout her career, Anscombe received numerous recognitions for her contributions to philosophy. She was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, the United Kingdom's national academy for the humanities and social sciences. She was also elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center based in the United States. Additionally, she received the Aquinas Medal, recognizing her contributions to Thomistic philosophy, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Navarre.

### Legacy

G. E. M. Anscombe's legacy extends through her published works, her students, and her role in advancing both analytic philosophy and theological studies. Her work continues to be studied and referenced in contemporary philosophy of mind, ethics, and action theory. Her achievements as the first female philosophy professor at Cambridge remain significant in the history of academic philosophy, demonstrating the possibilities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/9953838)
4. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
5. Biographical Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Philosophers (1996 ed.)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. CiNii Research
8. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
9. Internet Philosophy Ontology project
10. Babelio
11. A historical dictionary of British women
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Mathematics Genealogy Project
14. [Elizabeth Anscombe – More Than Wittgenstein’s “Old Man”. 2020](https://www.peterharrington.co.uk/blog/elizabeth-anscombe-more-than-wittgensteins-old-man/)
15. CONOR.SI
16. LIBRIS. 2009
17. Treccani Philosophy