Russell Thornton facts for kids

Russell Thornton was born on February 20, 1942. He is an American anthropologist with Cherokee heritage. An anthropologist is a scientist who studies human societies and cultures, both past and present. Dr. Thornton is a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He is well-known for his research on the population history of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. This means he studies how the number of Native American people has changed over time.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Thornton has received several important awards and honors for his work. These recognitions show how much his research is valued.

• In 2001, he gave a special lecture at The Florida State University. This was part of their 150th-anniversary celebration.
• Since 2004, he has held a special "Distinguished Professorship" at UCLA. This is a high honor for professors.
• In 2007, he gave "The Hail Lecture" at Brown University with Candace Greene. This was another important talk.

His Education and Studies

Russell Thornton has studied at several top universities. He earned advanced degrees to become an expert in his field.

• He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from Florida State University in 1968. A Ph.D. is the highest degree you can get in many subjects.
• From 1968 to 1969, he did special advanced research at Harvard University. This was in a field called Social Relations.
• In 1980, he did more advanced research at the University of Southern California. This time, he focused on Demography, which is the study of populations.