Clifford James Geertz

Clifford James Geertz (23 Aug. 1926 – 30 Oct. 2006) was an American anthropologist specializing in 'symbolic anthropology'. He was until his death professor emeritus at Princeton University, Institute for Advanced Study.

A master in 'thick description' (finding the deepest cultural and symbolical background behind daily actions) and in the theory of religion, Geertz particularly studied Southeast Asian cultures and the development of Islam. Among his publications are the anthology Myth, Symbol, Culture (1974), Kinship in Bali (1975), Meaning and Order in Moroccan Society (1978), Negara (1981, about the theater art form in Bali), and several studies in Javanese customs.