David Graeber

David Rolfe Graeber is a notable figure in the fields of anthropology and anarchist activism. Born on February 12, 1961, Graeber has had a profound impact on these areas through his work and activism. He is most known for his 2011 book "Debt: The First 5000 Years," which examines the historical relationship between debt and society.

Graeber's career as an academic began at Yale University, where he served as an assistant professor and associate professor of anthropology from 1998 to 2007. During his time at Yale, Graeber specialized in theories of value and social theory. However, Yale's decision not to rehire him when he would have become eligible for tenure sparked an academic controversy and a petition with over 4,500 signatures. Following his time at Yale, Graeber went on to become a Reader in Social Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London from 2007 to 2013. Currently, he is a Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics.

In addition to his work as an academic, Graeber is also a prominent figure in social and political activism. He has been involved in protests against the World Economic Forum in New York City (2002) and was a member of the labor union Industrial Workers of the World. Graeber was also an active participant in the Occupy Movement and is sometimes credited with coining the slogan "We are the 99 percent." Unfortunately, Graeber passed away in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.