Victor Turner

Victor Witter Turner (28 May 1920 – 18 December 1983) was a British cultural anthropologist known for his contributions to symbolic and interpretive anthropology. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Turner was the son of Norman Turner, an electrical engineer, and Violet Turner, a repertory actress. After studying poetry and classics at University College London, Turner served as a noncombatant in World War II until 1944. He married Edith Brocklesby Davis, a land girl, during his service, and together they had five children, including scientist Robert Turner, poet Frederick Turner, and anthropology professor Rory Turner. Turner returned to University College in 1946 to focus on anthropology and became renowned for his work on symbols, rituals, and rites of passage.