James George Frazer

Born in Glasgow on January 1, 1854, James George Frazer studied at the University of Glasgow and then at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he later became a fellow. Trained first in classics, he brought that background into a wide-ranging study of ancient belief, ritual, and folklore.

Frazer became famous for The Golden Bough, first published in 1890 and expanded over the years into a much larger work. In it, he compared myths and religious practices from many cultures, arguing that similar patterns could be found across time and place. The book reached far beyond anthropology and influenced writers, scholars, and general readers alike.

Although some of his theories have been challenged by later anthropology, Frazer remains an important figure in the history of ideas. His work helped popularize the comparative study of mythology and religion, and it still stands as a landmark in the intellectual world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.