William Graham Sumner

William Graham Sumner was a prominent American sociologist, anthropologist, and economist who made significant contributions to the fields of sociology and economics. He is best known for his work on Social Darwinism and his concept of folkways, which was influenced by the ideas of Herbert Spencer and Charles Darwin. Sumner's work was also shaped by the writings of Adam Smith and Thomas Malthus. He was a key figure in the development of American sociology and was influenced by the works of Émile Durkheim and Karl Marx.

● Early Life and Education

Sumner was born in Paterson, New Jersey, to a family of English and Scottish descent. He attended Yale College, where he studied classics and philosophy under the tutelage of Noah Porter. After graduating from Yale University in 1863, Sumner went on to study theology at Yale Divinity School and was ordained as an Episcopal minister in 1865. However, he soon became disillusioned with the Christian church and turned to academia, earning his Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University in 1875. During his time at Yale University, Sumner was influenced by the works of William James and John Dewey.

● Career

Sumner began his academic career as a professor of sociology at Yale University in 1872, where he taught courses on sociology, economics, and anthropology. He was a prolific writer and published numerous articles and books on a wide range of topics, including sociology, economics, and politics. Sumner was also a vocal critic of socialism and communism, and he was influenced by the ideas of Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman. He was a member of the American Economic Association and the American Sociological Association, and he served as the president of the American Sociological Association from 1908 to 1909. Sumner's work was also influenced by the writings of Max Weber and Émile Durkheim.

● Sociological Theory

Sumner's sociological theory was heavily influenced by the ideas of Social Darwinism and laissez-faire economics. He believed that society was governed by natural laws and that social change was the result of evolutionary processes. Sumner's concept of folkways referred to the cultural norms and values that governed human behavior in a given society. He argued that folkways were the result of evolutionary adaptation and that they played a crucial role in shaping social institutions. Sumner's work on sociology was influenced by the writings of Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer. He was also influenced by the ideas of Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead.

● Major Works

Sumner's most famous work is his book Folkways: A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals, which was published in 1906. In this book, Sumner explored the concept of folkways and its relationship to social change and evolutionary processes. He also published numerous articles and books on topics such as economics, politics, and sociology, including What Social Classes Owe to Each Other and The Challenge of Facts and Other Essays. Sumner's work was also influenced by the writings of Thorstein Veblen and John Commons.

● Legacy and Criticism

Sumner's work had a significant impact on the development of American sociology and economics. He is considered one of the founders of American sociology and his concept of folkways remains an important part of sociological theory. However, Sumner's work has also been criticized for its conservative and laissez-faire leanings. Some critics have argued that Sumner's emphasis on Social Darwinism and laissez-faire economics contributed to the exploitation of working-class people and the poor. Sumner's work has been influenced by the writings of C. Wright Mills and Herbert Marcuse. He was also influenced by the ideas of Robert Park and Ernest Burgess.

● Personal Life

Sumner was married to Jeannette Elliott Sumner and had three children. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and was active in politics, serving as a Republican member of the Connecticut State Legislature from 1867 to 1869. Sumner was also a prolific traveler and visited Europe and Asia on numerous occasions. He died on April 12, 1910, in New Haven, Connecticut, and is buried in Grove Street Cemetery. Sumner's work continues to be studied by scholars at Yale University and other institutions, including Harvard University and University of Chicago. Category:American sociologists