Lewis Henry Morgan

Anthropology American 1818 – 1881 72 quotes

A pioneering anthropologist known for his work on kinship systems and his theory of social evolution, influencing Marx and Engels.

Quotes by Lewis Henry Morgan

The dissolution of communism in land marked the end of barbarism.

Ancient Society 1877

The gens was the nursery of the state.

Ancient Society 1877

In studying the Iroquois, we glimpse the ancient Aryan household.

League of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee or Iroquois 1851

Society advances as the individual gains freedom from communal ties.

Ancient Society 1877

The Hawaiian system of consanguinity points to group marriage.

Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity 1871

The Iroquois wampum belts recorded treaties with symbolic eloquence.

League of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee or Iroquois 1851

The patriarchal family succeeded the matriarchal in the course of progress.

Ancient Society 1877

The life of the Iroquois was one of harmony with nature.

League of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee or Iroquois 1851

Institutions are the outgrowth of human experience.

Ancient Society 1877

The study of ancient society illuminates the path of civilization.

Ancient Society 1877

As I reflect on my years among the Iroquois, I see the nobility of their simple life.

Personal Letter 1881

The end of my journey approaches, but the knowledge gained endures.

Deathbed Statement 1881