Lewis Henry Morgan

(1818-1881)

American anthropologist and historian. Lawyer by education, worked the bar, and later - in business. In 1840, intrigued by the life of Indians, Morgan created a society 'Grand Order of the Iroquois'. Posted by a number of articles in defense of the Indians. In 1851, Mr.. saw the publication of his book 'League of the Iroquois', the social organization, spiritual and material culture of this group of tribes. Since the late 50-ies. engaged in a comparative study of kinship systems Indians and other peoples of the world. In 1866, Mr.. they completed monograph 'systems of kinship and the properties of the human family'. Having done the first time the subject of scientific study of kinship systems, Morgan identified two main types: classification, characteristic of primitive society, and the narratives inherent in class society. On the basis of their analysis was given the first sketch of the evolution of family and marital relations.

In the book 'Ancient Society' for the first time in the history of science has been set forth a theory of primitive society. Morgan proceeded from the fact that the basis of the original human society was born. Characterizing the original company as a generic, Morgan sharply contrasted his class society, or as he called it, 'political'. This, according to scientists, two different types of social organization. Gentile society is characterized by collective ownership, political - of private property. On the large amount of material, Morgan showed how in the process of historical development of tribal society into a political, as well as attempted to identify factors which determined the transition from collective ownership to private. Finally, Morgan concluded that instead of political society is coming to be 'rebirth, but the highest form of freedom, equality and fraternity of the ancient birth'. The book 'Ancient Society' was highly appreciated, but in light of modern scientific data, some of its provisions have been revised.