Photo: Smithsonian Institution from United States / No restrictions (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Margaret Mead was born on December 16, 1901 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Margaret Mead was an anthropologist, author and film director. Death is recorded on November 15, 1978, at the age of 76. Education on record includes Barnard College. Recorded honors include Presidential Medal of Freedom (1979), Kalinga Prize (1970), William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement (1969) and 5 more.
My Take
Margaret Mead intrigues me less as a flawless scientist than as a public intellectual who refused to stay in the academy. Coming of Age in Samoa made her a household name in 1928, and she spent decades translating complex anthropology for ordinary audiences through mass media. Later scholars have debated her Samoan fieldwork, and I think that controversy is part of what keeps her relevant: she dared to make sweeping cultural claims and provoke argument. The Presidential Medal of Freedom and Hall of Fame honors recognize her reach. For me she remains a model of the scholar who insists that ideas belong to everyone.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Margaret Mead
- Name (Japanese)
- マーガレット・ミード
- Reading
- まーがれっと・みーど
- Born
- December 16, 1901 – November 15, 1978
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Ox
- Origin
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Occupation
- anthropologist / author / film director / curator / poet
2. Background
- University
- Barnard College
Awards & achievements
- 1979 Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 1970 Kalinga Prize
- 1969 William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement
- 1976 National Women's Hall of Fame
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 1978 honorary doctor of the University of Miami
- 1942 Gold Medal of the Society of Woman Geographers
- 1954 Kurt Lewin Award
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Coming of Age in Samoa | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
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 Margaret Mead born?
Born December 16, 1901.
When did Margaret Mead die?
Died November 15, 1978, aged 76.
Where was Margaret Mead from?
Margaret Mead was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
What did Margaret Mead do?
Margaret Mead worked as anthropologist, author, film director, curator, poet.
What was Margaret Mead known for?
Notable works include Coming of Age in Samoa.
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