Biography
Sir James George Frazer, though not highly regarded by many contemporary anthropologists, remains a key figure in the development of the comparative method in the study of human societies. His influential work, The Golden Bough, significantly challenged Victorian ethnocentrism and inspired modernist literature in the early twentieth century. Frazer's contributions continue to resonate, despite changing perspectives in anthropology.
Origins and Childhood
James George Frazer entered the world on January 1, 1854, in Glasgow, Scotland. He was born to Katherine Brown and Daniel F. Frazer, a partner in an established pharmaceutical firm. Raised in a devout Presbyterian family, Frazer was steeped in daily Scripture readings. Though he later relinquished religious beliefs, he retained a deep respect for the Bible as "noble literature," evident in his 1895 publication, Passages of the Bible Chosen for Their Literary Beauty and Interest.
Frazer's academic journey began at local preparatory schools, leading to the University of Glasgow in 1869. Here, he earned an M.A. in 1874, studying under physicist Sir William Thomson, which fostered his belief in the immutable laws of nature. His achievements earned him a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he excelled in the historical tripos in 1878, subsequently becoming a College Fellow. Initially a classicist, Frazer's early works included a revised edition of Sallust's writings and translations of Pausanias’ Description of Greece and Ovid’s Fasti.
Entry Into Anthropology
Frazer’s fascination with anthropology was piqued through E. B. Tylor’s Primitive Culture. Embracing Tylor’s evolutionary progression of societies, Frazer viewed primitive cultures as snapshots of earlier stages in human development. Yet, it was William Robertson Smith who profoundly influenced Frazer's career. Smith, after losing his Aberdeen chair due to controversial beliefs, became a mentor to Frazer at Cambridge. Smith's Lectures on the Religion of the Semites presented Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as products of religious innovators, a concept that deeply impacted Frazer. Smith's assertion that ancient religions were shaped by unconscious forces spurred Frazer's anthropological pursuits, beginning with his 1885 work "On Certain Burial Customs as Illustrative of the Primitive Theory of the Soul." This led to his contributions on "taboo" and "totemism" for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, which marked his systematic foray into the study of so-called "savage and barbarian" societies.
Academic Career and Methodology
Despite becoming professor of social anthropology at the University of Liverpool in 1907, Frazer found teaching unsuitable and returned to Trinity College. Frazer, a linguistic prodigy fluent in multiple languages, conducted his research primarily through a wealth of ethnographic reports, travelers’ accounts, and correspondence with missionaries and colonial officials, rather than fieldwork. Renowned for his diligent work ethic, he filled volumes with copious notes that culminated in the publication Anthologia Anthropologica. Frazer's publications, filled with literary flair, occupy extensive shelf space, affirming his position as both a prolific writer and a purveyor of great literature.
The Golden Bough and Its Impact
Frazer’s legacy is most closely tied to The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion , which evolved through multiple editions from 1890 to 1936. This expansive work explored the relationship between magic, religion, and the role of priest-kings, drawing parallels across diverse cultures. His lectures and supplementary volumes delved into topics such as the primitive soul and the belief in immortality. Central to his thesis was the idea that societal well-being was linked to the vitality of their leaders, an idea he traced back to a shared human psyche. Frazer theorized that magic, with its flawed logic and reliance on the "Law of Similarity" and "Law of Contact or Contagion," gave way to religion, which in turn evolved into the...
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scientific understanding of a law-governed universe.
Later Life and Legacy
Frazer married Elisabeth Groves in 1896, who became his primary support and promoter. Despite his declining sight, Frazer received numerous accolades, including knighthood and membership in the British Academy. Although his reputation waned among post-war anthropologists, his work regained appreciation as an essential resource for understanding human thought. Frazer’s texts remain influential, particularly within the literary realm, inspiring figures like Yeats, Eliot, and Lawrence. His works, while criticized for their conjectural links, are also celebrated for their literary brilliance and enduring impact on the study of mythology and culture.
Reflecting on Frazer’s Contribution
Frazer's influence extended beyond anthropology, contributing to a broader intellectual shift away from biblical literalism and Victorian ethnocentrism. His eloquent prose in The Golden Bough continues to captivate readers, bolstering the legitimacy of anthropology. Despite criticism, Frazer’s insights into the functions of superstition in primitive societies paved the way for future anthropological inquiry. His exploration of magic, religion, and science offers a timeless framework for understanding humanity’s quest for knowledge and control over nature. While his theories may not hold today, Frazer’s documentation provides invaluable insights into cultural evolution and human psychology, ensuring his place in the annals of intellectual history.
Selected Bibliography
- Besterman, Theodore, comp. A Bibliography of Sir James George Frazer O.M. London: Macmillan, 1934.
- Downie, R. Angus. James George Frazer: The Portrait of a Scholar. London: Watts, 1940.
- Evans-Pritchard, Sir Edward. A History of Anthropological Thought. New York: Basic Books, 1981.
- Kardiner, Abram, and Edward Preble. They Studied Man. Cleveland: World, 1961.
- Leach, Edmund. “Frazer and Malinowski: On the ‘Founding Fathers.’” Encounter 25 (November, 1965): 24-36.
- Vickery, John B. The Literary Impact of The Golden Bough. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1973.