Monica Wilson facts for kids

Monica Wilson, born Monica Hunter (3 January 1908 – 26 October 1982), was an important South African scientist. She was a professor of social anthropology at the University of Cape Town. This means she studied how people live in groups and how their societies work.

Her Life and Studies

Monica Hunter was born in Lovedale in the Eastern Cape. Her parents were missionaries. She grew up speaking Xhosa from a young age.

She went to Girton College, Cambridge to study history. Later, she earned a special degree called a doctorate in anthropology in 1934. For her studies, she spent time with the Pondo in the Eastern Cape between 1931 and 1933. This kind of hands-on study is called fieldwork. Her main work from this time was a book called Reaction to Conquest.

In 1935, Monica married Godfrey Wilson. Together, they did more fieldwork with the Nyakyusa in Tanzania. This was between 1935 and 1938. Their research was supported by the International African Institute.

Sadly, Godfrey Wilson passed away in 1944. Monica continued her work. She taught at the University College of Fort Hare from 1944 to 1946. Then, she taught at Rhodes University from 1947 to 1951.

From 1952 until she retired in 1973, she was a Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Cape Town.

Monica Wilson passed away in Hogsback, Eastern Cape. Her home there is now a research centre for the University of Fort Hare.

See also

In Spanish: Monica Wilson para niños

Images for kids

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  Monica Wilson's house in Hogsback

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  Library

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  Library

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  Pond (Hogsback)