Sydel Silverman

Sydel Finfer Silverman Wolf (May 20, 1933 – March 25, 2019) was 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.

Early life and education 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, she applied to the University of Chicago's program in Committee on Human Development, and began 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.

Career

Early career Silverman's dissertation research was focused in the Italian village of Montecastello di Vibio. Her work in this region began in August 1960. Her work was one of the initial social-anthropological studies of Central Italy, describing the mezzadria, the traditional agrarian system of the region. Shortly after Silverman's research, the mezzadria was abolished by law. Silverman's dissertation research was also the foundation of several additional journal articles. can be viewed online.

Teaching After completing her PhD, Silverman worked as a teacher by Queens College in New York City from 1962 to 1975, while continuing her research in Italy. Her research included a 1967 study of land reform in the South of Italy, and several field seasons in Central Italy focused on a comparative study of competitive regional festivals. From this time, Silverman's publications on Palio of Siena are the most noteworthy.

Silverman moved to the Wenner-Gren Foundation in 1987, where she was appointed president of the foundation, serving from 1987 to 1999. She was spokesperson for the organization, advocating for the field of anthropology as well as overseeing administrative tasks including fellowship and grant funding. Silverman organized twenty-five international symposia during her years at Wenner-Gren. These symposia became the topic of her 2002 book, The Beast on the Table which offers a rich narrative concerning the living history of anthropology.

Personal life In December 1953, Silverman married the painter Mel Silverman, who died in 1966. In 1972 she married anthropologist Eric Wolf, who died in 1999.

In addition to two stepchildren from Wolf's first marriage, the couple had two children, Eve Silverman and film producer, Julie Yorn.

Silverman died on March 25, 2019, in New York City.

Selected works and publications Monographs