thumb|Maurice Godelier, 1977
Maurice Godelier (born 28 February 1934) is a French anthropologist. He is known for his field work among the Baruya in Papua New Guinea from the 1960s to the 1980s, and became one of the earliest advocates of Marxism's incorporation into anthropology. He was a director of studies at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris.
Early life and education
Maurice Godelier was born on 28 February 1934 to a poor family in provincial France in the commune Cambrai. Godelier received an associate degree in philosophy, a degree in psychology, and a degree in modern literature. During his early education, he was especially interested in the works of Husserl.
Career
Godelier is best known as one of the earliest advocates of Marxism's incorporation into anthropology. From 1966 to 1969, he conducted his first major anthropological field study on the Baruya in Papua New Guinea. His research provided significant contributions to the limited understanding of New Guinea cultures. as well as another 13-part series.
In 1982, he used his research to write an ethnography on the Baruya. The book, entitled The Making of Great Men (La production des grands hommes), discusses sex- and gender-based inequality and provided insight into the systems of power in Melanesia. His analysis of the systems of power was further developed in Big Men and Great Men, published in 1991, which he co-edited with Marilyn Strathern.
He became director of studies at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris.
Other activities
From 2000 to 2003, Godelier served on various organizations related to research in social sciences in Europe and his anthropological work in Oceania.