Jean La Fontaine facts for kids
Jean Sybil La Fontaine was born on November 1, 1931. She is a British anthropologist. An anthropologist is someone who studies human societies and cultures. She is also a professor emeritus at the London School of Economics. This means she is a retired professor who keeps her title. Professor La Fontaine has done research in Africa and the UK. Her studies looked at different parts of society and culture.
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Early Life and Education
Jean La Fontaine was born in Nairobi, Kenya. This was on November 1, 1931. She went to Kenya High School in Nairobi. After high school, she studied at Newnham College, Cambridge. She earned her first degree in archaeology and anthropology in 1953. Later, she completed her Ph.D. in 1957.
Academic Career
Professor La Fontaine taught at several universities. She worked at King's College, Newcastle in 1961. Then she taught at Lovanium University in Zaire from 1962 to 1963. From 1965 to 1968, she taught at Birkbeck College.
In 1968, she joined the London School of Economics. She became a Reader in Anthropology there. A Reader is a senior academic position. In 1978, she became a full Professor of Anthropology. She retired in 1983. After retiring, she was given the title of professor emeritus. Professor La Fontaine also led the Royal Anthropological Institute. She was their president from 1985 to 1987.
Awards and Honors
Jean La Fontaine has received special recognition for her work. She has been given honorary doctorates. These are special degrees given to honor someone's achievements. She received one from the University of Linkoping in Sweden in 1999. The Open University honored her in 2003. And Goldsmiths, University of London gave her an honorary doctorate in 2008.
