Lester+Ward

Gabriela Menchaca,

Lester F. Ward was a sociologist with a very interesting past. He was born into a poor family and self educated in his youth. It is said that he taught himself many languages and studied mathematics and geology. Ward was an avid reader that would work with his family by the day and would indulge himself in books at night. At the age of 42 he was appointed assistant geologist for the United States Geological Survey. He also had a long career with the federal government. At the age of 49 he was appointed a Geologist and at the age of 51 he was appointed Paleontologist within the federal government. He is best remember for his work in sociology and, “for his idea that once evolution proceeds to point that people gain consciousness of themselves within social processes, they use this knowledge to purposively direct society toward humanitarian goals” (Lester pg 252). “His later work, //Pure Sociology//, moves away from his early naturalism toward a focus on society as a ‘human achievement,’ making possible a strong case for conscious social planning and criticism.” (Lester pg. 252) Lester Ward is also known for his work on the sociology of gender. He had impact on many progressive and feminist writers in the early twentieth century. He criticized thinkers for their assumptions of males are the stronger more creative individual. He supported the idea of equality for women and his theories were very controversial. Due to this many of his theories were dismissed and ignored. This could of also been because of the fact that this was during a time when women were not seen as equal or held an important place in society. __**Timeline of his life:**__ · 1841: Born in Joliet, IL  · 1860: Attended Susquehanna Collegiate Institute in Towanda · 1860-1881: Employed by the US Treasury Department · 1869: Bachelor’s Degree · 1871: Law Degree · 1872: Masters Degree · 1905: Editor of the American Journal is Sociology · 1906-1907: 1st president of the Sociological Society of American Sociologist · 1913: Death