Elsie Clews Parsons
Anthropologist, folklorist, feminist, and first female president of the AAA.
- field
- Anthropology, sociology, folklore
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Studies of Pueblo Indian religion; first female president of the American Anthro
Lore & Background
While her husband was in Congress, she published two controversial books under the pseudonym John Main. She believed folklore was key to understanding a culture and that anthropology could be a vehicle for social change.
Reader's Guide
Elsie Clews Parsons made significant contributions to anthropology, folklore, and feminism. Her feminist writings challenged social conventions of her era. Her legacy includes both her scholarly output and her role in advancing women in academia.
Did You Know?
- Elsie Clews Parsons was elected the first female president of the American Anthropological Association shortly before her death.
- She helped found The New School.
- She published two controversial books under the pseudonym John Main while her husband was in Congress.
- Her work Pueblo Indian Religion is considered a classic, though it has been criticized as based on intrusive and deceptive research techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Elsie Clews Parsons?
Elsie Clews Parsons was an American anthropologist, sociologist, and folklorist who lived from 1875 to 1941. She is best known for her fieldwork among Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest and for her advocacy of women in academia.
What is Elsie Clews Parsons most famous for?
She is widely recognized for her ethnographic studies of Tewa and Hopi religious practices, as well as for becoming the first woman to serve as president of the American Anthropological Association. She also co-founded The New School in New York.
How did Elsie Clews Parsons's career end?
Parsons passed away on December 19, 1941, shortly after being elected the first female president of the American Anthropological Association. Her death marked the close of a prolific career spanning anthropology, folklore, and feminist scholarship.
Why is Elsie Clews Parsons important in anthropology?
She broke gender barriers by leading major professional societies, including the American Folklore Society and the American Ethnological Society. Her rigorous fieldwork on Pueblo religion also helped establish ethnographic standards for studying Indigenous cultures.
What organizations was Elsie Clews Parsons involved with?
She served as associate editor of The Journal of American Folklore and held presidential roles in both the American Folklore Society and the American Ethnological Society. She was also a co-founder of The New School, a progressive institution in New York City.
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