Marcel Mauss

1872 (Épinal, France) – 1950 (Paris)

Durkheim was Mauss’s uncle, intellectual mentor, and eventual professional colleague. Caillois and Leiris were among his students, Hubert a professional colleague, co-author and friend. Lévi-Strauss, who regarded him as an important influence but didn’t study under him, discussed exogamous relations among Brazilian tribes with him before exiling himself in New York.

Marcel Mauss knew…