R. R. Marett

R. R. Marett, also known in full as Robert Ranulph Marett, was a prominent British anthropologist (sometimes referred to as an ethnologist) who lived from 1866 to 1943. Here's a summary of his key achievements:

• Field of Study: Social Anthropology, specializing in the evolution of religion and moral beliefs.
• Contribution: Marett is most famous for his concept of "preanimism" in the development of religion. He challenged the prevailing animistic theory, proposing a more fundamental stage where humans felt an awe-inspiring and mysterious force, which he termed "mana."
• Era and School of Thought: Part of the British Evolutionary School of anthropology, founded by Edward Burnett Tylor. This school believed studying modern societies considered "primitive" could shed light on earlier stages of cultural development.
• Other Works: Marett had a broad range of intellectual interests, including prehistoric archaeology and classical literature. He was a gifted writer and helped popularize anthropology through his publications and lectures.