Claude Lévi-Strauss

Brazil Fieldwork Begins

Lévi-Strauss begins fieldwork among indigenous peoples in Brazil, gathering ethnographic data that will form the foundation of his theoretical work. He earns a modest academic salary.

Elementary Structures Published

Publication of 'The Elementary Structures of Kinship' establishes him as a major anthropological theorist. His academic reputation begins to grow internationally.

Collège de France Chair

Appointed to the prestigious chair of Social Anthropology at the Collège de France, one of France's highest academic honors. His income and influence increase significantly.

The Savage Mind Published

Publication of 'The Savage Mind' brings structuralism to wider intellectual audiences, influencing philosophy, literary criticism, and cultural studies. His ideas shape academic discourse across disciplines.

Elected to Académie Française

Becomes the first anthropologist elected to the Académie française, France's preeminent learned society. This recognition cements his status as one of France's greatest intellectuals.

Retirement from Teaching

Retires from the Collège de France after 23 years, leaving behind a transformed discipline. He continues writing and receives honors from institutions worldwide.

Death at Age 100

Lévi-Strauss dies at age 100, widely recognized as one of the 20th century's most influential thinkers. His structuralist approach revolutionized anthropology and shaped modern social sciences.

Enduring Intellectual Legacy

Seventeen years after his death, Lévi-Strauss remains foundational to anthropology, philosophy, and cultural studies. His structuralist theories continue to be taught and debated in universities worldwide.