Sydel Silverman
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Sydel Silverman PhD |
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|---|---|
| Born | Sydel Finfer May 20, 1933 Chicago, Illinois US |
| Other names | Sydel Finfer Sydel Silverman Wolf |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | Anthropology |
| Institutions |
Queens College Graduate Center, CUNY Wenner-Gren Foundation |
| Education |
University of Chicago Columbia University |
| Theses |
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| Spouse | Mel Silverman (1953–1966) (his death) Eric Wolf (1972–1999) (his death) |
| Children | Eve Silverman Julie Yorn |
Sydel Finfer Silverman Wolf (born May 20, 1933) is an American anthropologist notable for her work as a researcher, writer, and advocate for the archival preservation of anthropological research. Silverman's early research focused on the study of complex societies and the history of anthropology. This work involved conducting anthropological research in Central Italy, with a focus on traditional agrarian systems, land reform, and festivals in central Italy. She later became active as an administrator, advocating for the study of cultural anthropology and an important force within the community where she organized discussions and symposia around the topic of preserving the anthropological records.
Silverman was born in the Lawndale neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, Illinois, to Joseph Finfer, a rabbi and kosher shohet butcher, and Elizabeth Finfer (née Bassman), a cook. The youngest of seven children, her family was Orthodox Jewish and was very poor. Her parents came from Lithuania when they were adults.
Silverman's interest in anthropology began at an early age, thanks in part to her uncle Hirshel Bassman. With her uncle, Silverman explored ideas such as mysticism and "oriental religions."
In 1951, Silverman graduated from high school and began her studies at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier as a pre-med student. After two years of study, she applied to the University of Chicago's program in Committee on Human Development. She was admitted through a special exam and began her studies at the University of Chicago in biology, psychology, and sociology-anthropology. In 1957, Silverman received a master's degree from the Committee on Human Development. Her thesis, The Female Climacterium was published the same year.
In 1957, Silverman enrolled at the PhD program in Anthropology at Columbia University. Conrad Arensberg's work in the Mediterranean, as well as a personal interest in the region, led Silverman to select Italy as the focus of her dissertation research.
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