James Davison Hunter

James Davison Hunter (born 1955) is an American sociologist who is the LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and the founder and executive director of UVA's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. Hunter is a prominent figure in the sociology of religion and the sociology of culture, with much of his work dedicated to the study of evangelicalism and cultural change. He is also notable for popularizing the term culture war.

Hunter received his B.A. from Gordon College in 1977, his M.A. from Rutgers University in 1979, and his Ph.D from Rutgers in 1981.

Hunter began his career at Westmont College as Assistant Professor of Sociology during 1982-1983. He then moved to the University of Virginia, where he taught as Assistant Professor of Sociology from 1983 to 1989. He then became Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies from 1989-1994. He held the position of William R. Kenan Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies from 1994 until 2003, before becoming LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Sociology Theory with appointments in the Department of Sociology and the Department of Religious Studies. Since 1995 he has also served as Executive Director of the university's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

In 2004 the White House nominated Hunter to serve on the National Council of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a position he has held since confirmation by the Senate. He has also served on boards for the Pew Charitable Trusts and the National Commission on Civic Renewal. Since 2011, James D. Hunter has been a member of the board of the Peace Research Endowment.

As of 2010^[update] Hunter had written eight books and edited three others. His authored books include Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America (1991), which describes a battle for control of American culture and social institutions fought between conservative religious groups (Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish) and their politically progressive counterparts.

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