Photo: Phyllis Twachtman, New York World Telegram & Sun / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Katherine Dunham was born on June 24, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Katherine Dunham was credited as an anthropologist, choreographer and dancer. Death is recorded on May 21, 2006, at the age of 96. Schooling on record includes Joliet Central High School and University of Chicago. Awards on record include Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (1974), Kennedy Center Honors (1983), Candace Award (1987) and 5 more.
My Take
Katherine Dunham is one of those figures who quietly reshaped a whole field. A trained anthropologist from the University of Chicago, she didn't separate scholarship from art; she studied Caribbean folk dance and translated it into electrifying stagecraft. That fusion of rigor and feeling is what I admire most. The Kennedy Center Honors and National Medal of Arts confirm her stature, but the real story is her insistence that dance could liberate people and confront injustice. Living to 97 as both artist and activist, she earned the title matriarch of Black dance. A pioneer whose influence still ripples outward.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Katherine Dunham
- Name (Japanese)
- キャサリン・ダンハム
- Reading
- きゃさりん・だんはむ
- Born
- June 24, 1909 – May 21, 2006
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Rooster
- Origin
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Occupation
- anthropologist / choreographer / dancer / music educator / songwriter
2. Background
- High school
- Joliet Central High School
- University
- University of Chicago
Awards & achievements
- 1974 Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame
- 1983 Kennedy Center Honors
- 1987 Candace Award
- 1989 National Medal of Arts
- 1990 honorary degree from Spelman College
- 1991 Capezio Dance Award
- 1993 Paul Robeson Award
- honorary doctor of the University of Southern California
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Dunham technique | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttp://kdcah.org
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine%20Dunham
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B5%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%80%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A0
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272637
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Katherine Dunham born?
Born June 24, 1909.
When did Katherine Dunham die?
Died May 21, 2006, aged 96.
Where was Katherine Dunham from?
Katherine Dunham was from Chicago, Illinois, United States.
What did Katherine Dunham do?
Katherine Dunham worked as anthropologist, choreographer, dancer, music educator, songwriter.
What was Katherine Dunham known for?
Notable works include Dunham technique.
Anthropologist — see all → · Choreographer — see all → · More people from the United States →