Jump to content

Northcote W. Thomas: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(13 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
|birth_date = 1868
|birth_date = 1868
|death_date = 1936
|death_date = 1936
|occupation = [[Anthropologist]], psychical researcher}}
|occupation = [[Anthropologist]], psychical researcher}}


'''Northcote Whitridge Thomas''' (1868-1936) was a British [[anthropologist]] and [[Parapsychology|psychical researcher]].
'''Northcote Whitridge Thomas''' (1868–1936) was a British [[anthropologist]] and [[Parapsychology|psychical researcher]].


==Career==
==Career==
Line 12: Line 12:
Thomas was born in [[Oswestry]], Shropshire. He studied history and graduated from [[Trinity College, Cambridge]] with a BA in 1890 and an MA in 1894. He published over fifty articles in academic journals and many books. He served on the councils of the [[Folklore Society]] and the Royal Anthropological Institute.<ref name="Basu">Basu, Paul. (2016). ''N. W. Thomas and Colonial Anthropology in British West Africa: Reappraising a Cautionary Tale''. ''[[Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute]]'' 22 (1): 84-107.</ref>
Thomas was born in [[Oswestry]], Shropshire. He studied history and graduated from [[Trinity College, Cambridge]] with a BA in 1890 and an MA in 1894. He published over fifty articles in academic journals and many books. He served on the councils of the [[Folklore Society]] and the Royal Anthropological Institute.<ref name="Basu">Basu, Paul. (2016). ''N. W. Thomas and Colonial Anthropology in British West Africa: Reappraising a Cautionary Tale''. ''[[Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute]]'' 22 (1): 84-107.</ref>


In 1906, Thomas was the first anthropologist from the British Government to work in [[Nigeria]] and [[Sierra Leone]].<ref>Blench, R. M. (1995). ''The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria.'' ''The Nigerian Field'' 60: 20-28.</ref> He studied the [[Edo people|Edo]] and [[Igbo people]]'s and collected a number of objects from his fieldwork. His collection is now stored at the [[Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge]].<ref>[http://maa.cam.ac.uk/northcotethomas/about.html "Northcote W. Thomas and his collection"]. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.</ref>
In 1909, Thomas became the first Government Anthropologist to be appointed by the British Colonial Office. In this capacity he conducted a series of anthropological surveys in [[Nigeria]] and [[Sierra Leone]].<ref>Blench, R. M. (1995). ''The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria.'' ''The Nigerian Field'' 60: 20-28.</ref> He studied the [[Edo people|Edo]] and [[Igbo people]] in Southern Nigeria, and worked mainly with [[Temne people|Temne]] and [[Limba people (Sierra Leone)|Limba]] communities in Sierra Leone. In the course of his survey work, Thomas assembled large collections of artefacts, took thousands of photographs, made sound recordings of speech and music, and even collected botanical specimen. His artefact collection is now stored at the [[Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge]].<ref>[http://maa.cam.ac.uk/northcotethomas/about.html "Northcote W. Thomas and his collection"]. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.</ref>


In Nigeria, Thomas was described as an [[Eccentricity (behaviour)|eccentric]] and undiplomatic individual. His superiors transferred him to Sierra Leone in 1913, after two years he was sent home.<ref>Kuklick, H. (1991). ''The Savage Within: The Social History of British Anthropology, 1885-1945''. Cambridge University Press. pp. 199-201</ref> He was once described by a colonial worker as "a recognized maniac in many ways. He wore sandals, even in this country, lived on vegetables and was generally a rum person."<ref>Linstrum, Erik. (2016). ''Ruling Minds: Psychology in the British Empire''. Harvard University Press. p. 53. {{ISBN|978-0-674-08866-5}}</ref>
In Nigeria, Thomas was described as an [[Eccentricity (behaviour)|eccentric]] and undiplomatic individual. His superiors transferred him to Sierra Leone in 1913; after two years, he was sent home.<ref>Kuklick, H. (1991). ''The Savage Within: The Social History of British Anthropology, 1885-1945''. Cambridge University Press. pp. 199-201</ref> He was once described by a Colonial Office clerk as "a recognized maniac in many ways. He wore sandals, even in this country, lived on vegetables and was generally a rum person."<ref>Linstrum, Erik. (2016). ''Ruling Minds: Psychology in the British Empire''. Harvard University Press. p. 53. {{ISBN|978-0-674-08866-5}}</ref>
Despite criticism of his methods the [[Colonial Office]] requested the [[Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|Royal Anthropological Institute]] to examine Thomas's anthropological research of Nigeria. They declared that they were "impressed with the thoroughness of his enquiries."<ref>Mills, David. (2008). ''Difficult Folk?: A Political History of Social Anthropology''. Berghahn Books. p. 51. {{ISBN|978-1-84545-450-0}}</ref>
Despite criticism of his methods, the [[Colonial Office]] requested the [[Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|Royal Anthropological Institute]] to examine Thomas's anthropological research of Nigeria. They declared that they were "impressed with the thoroughness of his enquiries."<ref>Mills, David. (2008). ''Difficult Folk?: A Political History of Social Anthropology''. Berghahn Books. p. 51. {{ISBN|978-1-84545-450-0}}</ref>


It was alleged by historian Henrika Kuklick that Thomas had investigated the [[Cannibalism|cannibalistic]] Human [[Leopard Society]] in Sierra Leone but in his report "refused to divulge the identities of the murderers he had interviewed, arguing that the anthropologist's code of professional ethics required him to maintain the confidentiality of the relationship he had with his informants."<ref>Kuklick, H. (1991). ''The Savage Within: The Social History of British Anthropology, 1885-1945''. Cambridge University Press. p. 201</ref> However, anthropologist Paul Basu who examined archival evidence has disputed this statement noting that Thomas never wrote a report on the Human Leopard Society.<ref name="Basu"/>
It was alleged by historian Henrika Kuklick that Thomas had investigated the [[Human cannibalism|cannibalistic]] Human [[Leopard Society]] in Sierra Leone but in his report "refused to divulge the identities of the murderers he had interviewed, arguing that the anthropologist's code of professional ethics required him to maintain the confidentiality of the relationship he had with his informants."<ref>Kuklick, H. (1991). ''The Savage Within: The Social History of British Anthropology, 1885-1945''. Cambridge University Press. p. 201</ref> However, anthropologist Paul Basu who examined archival evidence has disputed this statement noting that Thomas never wrote a report on the Human Leopard Society.<ref name="Basu"/>


==Psychical research==
==Psychical research==


Thomas was a member of the [[Society for Psychical Research]] (SPR), he was also interested in the [[occult]] and collaborated on psychical research with his friend [[Andrew Lang]].<ref>Lyons. Andrew P; Lyons, Harriet. (2004). ''Irregular Connections: A History of Anthropology and Sexuality''. University of Nebraska Press. p. 149. {{ISBN|0-8032-2953-4}}</ref> He authored works on [[crystal gazing]] and [[telepathy]].<ref>J, T. H. (1905). ''Reviewed Works: Thought Transference by Northcote W. Thomas; Crystal Gazing by Northcote W. Thomas''. ''[[Man (journal)|Man]]'' 5: 172-173.</ref> His book on crystal gazing was criticized by anthropologist [[Edward Clodd]] as non-scientific.<ref>[[Edward Clodd|Clodd, Edward]]. (1905). ''Reviewed Work: Crystal-Gazing: Its History and Practice, with a Discussion of the Evidence for Telepathic Scrying by Northcote W. Thomas''. ''[[Folklore (journal)|Folklore]]'' 16 (4): 479-480.</ref>
Thomas was a member of the [[Society for Psychical Research]] (SPR); he was also interested in the [[occult]] and collaborated on psychical research with his friend [[Andrew Lang]].<ref>Lyons. Andrew P; Lyons, Harriet. (2004). ''Irregular Connections: A History of Anthropology and Sexuality''. University of Nebraska Press. p. 149. {{ISBN|0-8032-2953-4}}</ref> He authored works on [[crystal gazing]] and [[telepathy]].<ref>J, T. H. (1905). ''Reviewed Works: Thought Transference by Northcote W. Thomas; Crystal Gazing by Northcote W. Thomas''. ''[[Man (journal)|Man]]'' 5: 172-173.</ref> His book on crystal gazing was criticized by anthropologist [[Edward Clodd]] as non-scientific.<ref>[[Edward Clodd|Clodd, Edward]]. (1905). ''Reviewed Work: Crystal-Gazing: Its History and Practice, with a Discussion of the Evidence for Telepathic Scrying by Northcote W. Thomas''. ''[[Folklore (journal)|Folklore]]'' 16 (4): 479-480.</ref>

== Archive ==
Thomas' archive and objects he collected are dispersed among a number of British institutions including the [[Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge]], the [[British Library Sound Archive]], the [[Pitt Rivers Museum]], the [[Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|Royal Anthropological Institute]], the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] and [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://re-entanglements.net/about/|title=About - [Re:]Entanglements|work=[Re:]Entanglements|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>

Thomas's anthropological surveys in Southern Nigeria and Sierra Leone are the subject of a research project entitled ''[Re:]Entanglements'' funded by the UK's [[Arts and Humanities Research Council|Arts & Humanities Research Council]] and led by anthropologist Paul Basu at [[SOAS, University of London|SOAS]]. As well as archival- and collection-based research, the project involves retracing Thomas's itineraries in West Africa, as well as exploring contemporary uses, values and meanings attached to the historical material.

==Honoria==
The fish ''[[Marcusenius thomasi]]'' <small>([[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]] 1916)</small> is named after him, as he supplied the type specimen.<ref name = ETYFish>{{cite web | url = http://www.etyfish.org/osteoglossiformes/ | title = Order OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES | access-date= 30 January 2022 | author1 = Christopher Scharpf | author2 = Kenneth J. Lazara | name-list-style = amp | work = The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database | publisher = Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara | date = 22 September 2018}}</ref>

⚫
==References==
⚫
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
Works by Northcote W. Thomas:


==Selected Publications==
*[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001648708 ''Bibliography of Folk-Lore''] (1905)
*[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001648708 ''Bibliography of Folk-Lore''] (1905)
*[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100770686 ''Crystal Gazing''] (1905) [with an introduction by [[Andrew Lang]]]
*[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100770686 ''Crystal Gazing''] (1905) [with an introduction by [[Andrew Lang]]]
Line 33: Line 46:
*[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/007704164 ''Specimens of Languages from Sierra Leone''] (1916)
*[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/007704164 ''Specimens of Languages from Sierra Leone''] (1916)


== External links ==
⚫
==References==

⚫
{{Reflist}}
* {{Gutenberg author|id=7354}}
* [https://re-entanglements.net/ <nowiki>[Re:]Entanglements</nowiki>] - academic research project on Northcote W. Thomas' archive
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Northcote W}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Northcote W}}
Line 41: Line 57:
[[Category:British anthropologists]]
[[Category:British anthropologists]]
[[Category:English writers on paranormal topics]]
[[Category:English writers on paranormal topics]]
[[Category:Parapsychologists]]
[[Category:British parapsychologists]]
[[Category:People from Oswestry]]
[[Category:People from Oswestry]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 3 March 2024

Northcote Whitridge Thomas
Born1868
Died1936
Occupation(s)Anthropologist, psychical researcher

Northcote Whitridge Thomas (1868–1936) was a British anthropologist and psychical researcher.

Career

[edit]

Thomas was born in Oswestry, Shropshire. He studied history and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge with a BA in 1890 and an MA in 1894. He published over fifty articles in academic journals and many books. He served on the councils of the Folklore Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute.[1]

In 1909, Thomas became the first Government Anthropologist to be appointed by the British Colonial Office. In this capacity he conducted a series of anthropological surveys in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.[2] He studied the Edo and Igbo people in Southern Nigeria, and worked mainly with Temne and Limba communities in Sierra Leone. In the course of his survey work, Thomas assembled large collections of artefacts, took thousands of photographs, made sound recordings of speech and music, and even collected botanical specimen. His artefact collection is now stored at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge.[3]

In Nigeria, Thomas was described as an eccentric and undiplomatic individual. His superiors transferred him to Sierra Leone in 1913; after two years, he was sent home.[4] He was once described by a Colonial Office clerk as "a recognized maniac in many ways. He wore sandals, even in this country, lived on vegetables and was generally a rum person."[5] Despite criticism of his methods, the Colonial Office requested the Royal Anthropological Institute to examine Thomas's anthropological research of Nigeria. They declared that they were "impressed with the thoroughness of his enquiries."[6]

It was alleged by historian Henrika Kuklick that Thomas had investigated the cannibalistic Human Leopard Society in Sierra Leone but in his report "refused to divulge the identities of the murderers he had interviewed, arguing that the anthropologist's code of professional ethics required him to maintain the confidentiality of the relationship he had with his informants."[7] However, anthropologist Paul Basu who examined archival evidence has disputed this statement noting that Thomas never wrote a report on the Human Leopard Society.[1]

Psychical research

[edit]

Thomas was a member of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR); he was also interested in the occult and collaborated on psychical research with his friend Andrew Lang.[8] He authored works on crystal gazing and telepathy.[9] His book on crystal gazing was criticized by anthropologist Edward Clodd as non-scientific.[10]

Archive

[edit]

Thomas' archive and objects he collected are dispersed among a number of British institutions including the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, the British Library Sound Archive, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Royal Anthropological Institute, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and The National Archives.[11]

Thomas's anthropological surveys in Southern Nigeria and Sierra Leone are the subject of a research project entitled [Re:]Entanglements funded by the UK's Arts & Humanities Research Council and led by anthropologist Paul Basu at SOAS. As well as archival- and collection-based research, the project involves retracing Thomas's itineraries in West Africa, as well as exploring contemporary uses, values and meanings attached to the historical material.

Honoria

[edit]

The fish Marcusenius thomasi (Boulenger 1916) is named after him, as he supplied the type specimen.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Basu, Paul. (2016). N. W. Thomas and Colonial Anthropology in British West Africa: Reappraising a Cautionary Tale. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 22 (1): 84-107.
  2. ^ Blench, R. M. (1995). The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. The Nigerian Field 60: 20-28.
  3. ^ "Northcote W. Thomas and his collection". Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
  4. ^ Kuklick, H. (1991). The Savage Within: The Social History of British Anthropology, 1885-1945. Cambridge University Press. pp. 199-201
  5. ^ Linstrum, Erik. (2016). Ruling Minds: Psychology in the British Empire. Harvard University Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-674-08866-5
  6. ^ Mills, David. (2008). Difficult Folk?: A Political History of Social Anthropology. Berghahn Books. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-84545-450-0
  7. ^ Kuklick, H. (1991). The Savage Within: The Social History of British Anthropology, 1885-1945. Cambridge University Press. p. 201
  8. ^ Lyons. Andrew P; Lyons, Harriet. (2004). Irregular Connections: A History of Anthropology and Sexuality. University of Nebraska Press. p. 149. ISBN 0-8032-2953-4
  9. ^ J, T. H. (1905). Reviewed Works: Thought Transference by Northcote W. Thomas; Crystal Gazing by Northcote W. Thomas. Man 5: 172-173.
  10. ^ Clodd, Edward. (1905). Reviewed Work: Crystal-Gazing: Its History and Practice, with a Discussion of the Evidence for Telepathic Scrying by Northcote W. Thomas. Folklore 16 (4): 479-480.
  11. ^ "About - [Re:]Entanglements". [Re:]Entanglements. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  12. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 30 January 2022.

Further reading

[edit]

Works by Northcote W. Thomas:

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Northcote_W._Thomas&oldid=1211589567"