Claude Lévi-Strauss 1908 – 2009

Biography

Claude Lévi-Strauss was born on November 28, 1908, in Brussels, beginning a life that would profoundly shape the study of human culture and society. As a French anthropologist and ethnologist, he devoted his career to understanding the structures underlying human thought and behavior across diverse societies. His work bridged continents and disciplines, earning him recognition as one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century.

Throughout his long and productive life, Lévi-Strauss pursued his scholarly interests with dedication and insight. His contributions to anthropology and ethnology left an indelible mark on how we understand ourselves and others. He remained intellectually engaged well into his later years, witnessing tremendous social and cultural changes across the globe.

On October 30, 2009, Lévi-Strauss died in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, having just passed his one-hundredth birthday. He succumbed to a myocardial infarction, bringing to an end a century of remarkable intellectual achievement. He was laid to rest in Lignerolles, in the canton of Montigny-sur-Aube, France, where his legacy continues to inspire scholars, students, and anyone seeking deeper understanding of human civilization.