# Mary Douglas

> British anthropologist (1921–2007)

**Wikidata**: [Q231349](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231349)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Douglas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mary-douglas

## Summary
Mary Douglas was a British anthropologist (1921–2007) renowned for her foundational work in social anthropology, particularly her influential book *Purity and Danger* (1966), which explored cultural perceptions of cleanliness, taboo, and social order. A Fellow of the British Academy and Commander of the Order of the British Empire, she shaped modern anthropological theory and taught at prestigious institutions like University College London and Northwestern University.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 25, 1921
- **Died:** May 16, 2007
- **Nationality:** British
- **Education:** Studied at St Anne's College, University of Oxford
- **Known for:** Pioneering theories on cultural symbolism, risk perception, and social structures
- **Employer(s):** University College London, Northwestern University, Russell Sage Foundation
- **Field(s):** Social anthropology, sociology

## Contributions
Mary Douglas authored *Purity and Danger* (1966), a seminal work analyzing how societies classify purity, pollution, and taboo to maintain social order. She also contributed to *Risk and Culture* (1982), co-authored with Aaron Wildavsky, which examined how cultural biases shape perceptions of risk. Her academic career included teaching at University College London and Northwestern University, where she influenced generations of anthropologists. She was a Fellow of the British Academy, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

## FAQs
### What is Mary Douglas best known for?
Mary Douglas is best known for her book *Purity and Danger* (1966), which introduced groundbreaking theories on how cultures define purity, pollution, and taboo to reinforce social boundaries.

### Where did Mary Douglas teach?
She taught at University College London and Northwestern University, among other institutions, shaping anthropological education in both the UK and the US.

### What awards did Mary Douglas receive?
She was honored as a Fellow of the British Academy, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

### What was Mary Douglas's academic focus?
Her work centered on social anthropology, particularly cultural symbolism, risk perception, and the role of rituals in maintaining social order.

## Why They Matter
Mary Douglas revolutionized social anthropology by demonstrating how cultural classifications of purity and danger reflect deeper social structures. Her theories influenced fields beyond anthropology, including sociology, risk assessment, and environmental policy. Without her work, modern understandings of cultural taboos and risk perception would lack critical frameworks.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Purity and Danger* (1966), a foundational text in anthropology
- Co-authoring *Risk and Culture* (1982) with Aaron Wildavsky
- Being a Fellow of the British Academy and Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Teaching at University College London and Northwestern University
- Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Mary Douglas was born on March 25, 1921, and studied at St Anne's College, University of Oxford, where she developed her interest in social anthropology.

### Academic Career
She taught at University College London and later at Northwestern University, where she became a leading figure in anthropological theory. Her work at the Russell Sage Foundation furthered her influence in social science research.

### Major Works
Douglas's most famous work, *Purity and Danger* (1966), analyzed how societies use concepts of cleanliness and taboo to enforce social norms. She also co-authored *Risk and Culture* (1982), which explored cultural biases in risk perception.

### Awards and Recognition
She was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire and became a Fellow of the British Academy. She was also recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

### Legacy
Mary Douglas's theories remain central to anthropological and sociological studies, particularly in understanding cultural symbolism and social order. Her work continues to be cited in academic research worldwide.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://findingaids.library.northwestern.edu/agents/people/2105)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. Women Anthropologists: A Biographical Dictionary
7. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/22/world/europe/22douglas.html)
8. [Source](https://www.therai.org.uk/awards/honours-prior-recipients/huxley-memorial-medal-and-lecture-prior-recipients)
9. Bibliothèque nationale de France
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. CiNii Research
12. SNAC
13. Babelio
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. [Source](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article1805952.ece)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Open Library
18. CONOR.SI
19. Goodreads
20. Catalogo of the National Library of India