Edith Turner (anthropologist) facts for kids

Edith Turner (born June 17, 1921 – died June 18, 2016) was an English-American anthropologist, a person who studies human societies and cultures. She was also a poet and a teacher at universities. Edith Turner worked closely with her husband, Victor Witter Turner, on early research about healing, special ceremonies (called rituals), and a feeling of shared joy called communitas. After her husband passed away in 1983, she continued to explore these ideas, especially communitas. Edith Turner helped develop a more human-focused way of studying anthropology. She was also a strong supporter of social causes throughout her life.

Early Life

Edith Lucy Brocklesby Davis was born in Ely, England, on June 17, 1921. Her parents were Reverend Dr. George Brocklesby Davis and Lucy Gertrude Davis. She went to the Perse School for Girls in Cambridge from 1933 to 1936. In 1938, she earned her first college degree from Alde House Domestic Science College.

Edith met her husband, Victor Turner, during World War II. At that time, she was working as a "land girl," which meant she helped with farm work as part of the Women's Land Army. Victor was serving in a non-fighting role. They got married on January 30, 1943. Together, they had five children. Some of their children include scientist Robert Turner and poet Frederick Turner.

Moving to the United States

In the 1950s, Edith and her family moved to the United States. Her husband had a job at the University of Chicago.

Later, as Edith Turner, she earned her master's degree in literature in 1980 from the University of Virginia. Her master's paper was about Shakespeare's play "The Mysterious Duke" and the idea of "liminality," which is a special in-between state during rituals.

She also studied at other famous universities like the University of Cape Town, Princeton University, and Smith College.

Academic Work and Field Studies

In 1984, Edith Turner became a lecturer, or teacher, of anthropology at the University of Virginia. She conducted a lot of fieldwork, which means she traveled to many places to study different cultures firsthand. Her studies covered a wide range of locations and people around the world.

For example, she studied the Ndembu people in Zambia and the Bagisu in Uganda. She also visited many pilgrimage sites, which are places people travel to for religious reasons, in Mexico and Ireland. Edith Turner explored shrines in India and Sri Lanka. She also looked at Brazilian carnival and Afro-Brazilian religious groups.

Her research included Israeli rituals, Japanese ritual and theater, and Yaqui rituals. She studied African American healing churches and even Civil War reenactments. She also learned about Korean shamanism and Inupiat festivals in Alaska. Her work also took her to study suburban American rituals, the Saami of Russia, and events remembering the Great Famine of Ireland. She also studied Christian groups in the United States.

Legacy

Edith Turner passed away on June 18, 2016. An award at the University of Virginia is named after her. The Edie Turner Humanistic Anthropology Award honors students who show great teaching, activism, and writing. It celebrates those who recognize the rich and varied experiences of people around the world.

See also

In Spanish: Edith Turner (antropóloga) para niños