Lester Frank Ward was an American scientist and sociologist, trained originally as a botanist and paleontologist, who became the first president of the American Sociological Association and is regarded as one of the founders of American sociology. In Dynamic Sociology (1883) he argued for what he called telic, or purposeful, social evolution, contending that human intelligence and collective action, especially through education and government, could and should guide social development rather than leaving it to the unguided, competitive processes described by Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism. Ward's reform-oriented sociology, sometimes called reform Darwinism, positioned him as an early and influential critic of laissez-faire applications of evolutionary theory to society.
Facts
Birth DateSourced to the subject's own account Birth YearSourced to the subject's own account Death DateSourced to the subject's own account Death YearSourced to the subject's own account BirthplaceSourced to the subject's own account Death PlaceSourced to the subject's own account Nationality / CultureSourced to the subject's own account Defining ContributionSourced to the subject's own accountThe first president of the American Sociological Association, characterized by a contemporary as a great pioneer in the development of American sociology. 1 Notable WorkSourced to the subject's own account Connections
Associated With
Source Lester Frank Ward (Wikipedia)
Informed By
Ward vision of sociology as a positive science directed toward social improvement drew directly on Comte positivist program.
Practices Studied
Source Encyclopedia.com (Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography and International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences): Lester Frank Ward
Source Encyclopedia.com (Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography and International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences): Lester Frank Ward
In the Other Atlases
Nationality
Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.
Source Lester Frank Ward (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 3Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article
Lester Frank Ward (June 18, 1841 – April 18, 1913) was an American botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist.
Sources
1. Lester Frank Ward (Wikipedia)
Wikipedialead sentence, birth date clause
Lester Frank Ward (June 18, 1841, April 18, 1913) was an American botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist.
lead sentence, birth year figure
Lester Frank Ward (June 18, 1841, April 18, 1913) was an American botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist.
lead sentence, death date clause
Lester Frank Ward (June 18, 1841, April 18, 1913) was an American botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist.
lead sentence, death year figure
Lester Frank Ward (June 18, 1841, April 18, 1913) was an American botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist.
Childhood section, birth sentence
Lester Frank Ward was born in Joliet, Illinois.
Death: 1913 section, burial sentence
Ward was first buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington but was later moved to Brookside Cemetery, Watertown in Jefferson County, New York to be with his wife.
lead sentence, nationality descriptor
Lester Frank Ward (June 18, 1841, April 18, 1913) was an American botanist, paleontologist, and sociologist.
lead paragraph, notable work sentence
His 1883 work Dynamic Sociology was influential in establishing sociology as a distinct field in the United States.
lead paragraph, pioneer characterization sentence
characterized Ward as a “great pioneer” in the development of American sociology
Associated With: Brown University, Article text
In 1906, Ward became chair of sociology at Brown University.
View the Source Wikidata: Lester Frank Ward
Wikidata Q679184, class allow-list match, case-insensitive label variant (w-bbfill-smallsix2-0926/resolve_ci.ps1)View the Source Encyclopedia.com (Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography and International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences): Lester Frank Ward
Encyclopedia.com (Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography and International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences)Practices Studied: Welfare State, Article text
In short, Ward anticipated the development of modern governmental responsibilities (the welfare state), planning, and the expansion of formal education as a funnel for maximum participation by citizens in public affairs.
Practices Studied: Education, Article text
In short, Ward anticipated the development of modern governmental responsibilities (the welfare state), planning, and the expansion of formal education as a funnel for maximum participation by citizens in public affairs.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.