Ruth Benedict

Like her colleagues, Benedict studied the role of women in culture. She is known as one of the first actually respected female anthropologist-- she was actually a teacher of Margaret Mead. Benedict's more unique area of study was in the arts and human creativity. She studied the roles personality, individuality, and creativity played in culture. Unfortunately, as a female, Benedict's career was limited by the gender norms of the time. Though she was often overlooked for leading anthropological positions at universities, she is now regarded as one of the most important anthropologists of the twentieth century.