Alfred Gell

Alfred (Antony Francis) Gell (June 12, 1945-January 28, 1997) was a British social anthropologist whose most influential work concerned art, language, symbolism and ritual. He was trained by Edmund Leach (MPhil, Cambridge University) and Raymond Firth (PhD, London School of Economics)[1] and did his fieldwork in Melanesia and tribal India. Gell taught at the London School of Economics, among other places. He died of cancer at the age of 51.[2] In his 1998 book Art and Agency, Gell formulated an influential theory of art based on abductive reasoning.

Selected bibliography of works by Alfred Gell

References

  1. ^ Anthrobase--Dictionary of Anthropology. "Alfred Gell (1945–1997)." URL: http://www.anthrobase.com/Dic/eng/pers/gell_alfred.htm
  2. ^ Hirsch, Eric. 1999. "Alfred Gell (1945–1997)." American Anthropologist, Mar , Vol. 101, No. 1: 152-155.