Jean La Fontaine

This article is about the anthropologist. For the 17th-century French writer, see Jean de La Fontaine.

Jean Sybil La Fontaine FRAI (born 1 November 1931) is a British anthropologist and emeritus professor of the London School of Economics.[1] She has done research in Africa and the UK, on topics including ritual, gender, child abuse,[2] witchcraft and satanism. In 1994 she wrote a government report: The Extent and Nature of Organised and Ritual Abuse.[3]

Early life

La Fontaine was born in Nairobi, Kenya, on 1 November 1931 and educated at The Kenya High School, Nairobi. She then studied at Newnham College, Cambridge, gaining a B.A. in archaeology and anthropology in 1953 and a Ph.D. in 1957.[4]

Career

After teaching at King's College, Newcastle (1961, part-time), Lovanium University, Zaire (1962–1963) and Birkbeck College (1965–1968), La Fontaine was appointed Reader in Anthropology at the London School of Economics in 1968 and Professor of Anthropology there in 1978. She retired in 1983, being granted the title of professor emeritus.[4] Professor La Fontaine was president of the Royal Anthropological Institute from 1985 to 1987.

Recognition

La Fontaine has received honorary doctorates from University of Linkoping, Sweden, in 1999, the Open University in 2003, and Goldsmiths, University of London in 2008.[5][4]

References

  1. ^ "People: Retired academic staff". Anthropology. London School of Economics. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Jean La Fontaine (interview)". Digital Anthropology Resources for Teaching. London School of Economics. 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Extent and Nature of Organised and Ritual Abuse". NCJRS Abstract. National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Jean La Fontaine: CV". Academy of Europe. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Goldsmiths recognises celebrated individuals" (PDF). Goldlink. 31: 4. Spring 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.


Stub icon

This biographical article about a British anthropologist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.