Ralph Linton

author

Ralph Linton

1893–1953

An influential American anthropologist, he helped shape how readers and scholars think about culture, status, and social roles. He is especially remembered for widely read books like The Study of Man and The Tree of Culture.

1 Audiobook

Use of tobacco among North American Indians

Use of tobacco among North American Indians

by Ralph Linton

About the author

Born in Philadelphia on February 27, 1893, Ralph Linton became one of the best-known American anthropologists of the mid-20th century. His work brought anthropology to a broad audience by explaining big ideas about culture and human behavior in clear, accessible ways.

He is particularly associated with key concepts such as status and role, and with books including The Study of Man (1936). His writing helped connect academic anthropology with general readers, which made his ideas especially influential beyond the classroom.

Linton died on December 24, 1953. Even so, his work remained widely read afterward, including The Tree of Culture, which was published posthumously in 1955.