Burleigh B. Gardner One of the first American anthropologists Date of Birth: 04.12.1902 Country: USA

1. Biography of Berley B. Gardner
2. Education and Early Career
3. Research and Publications
4. Social Research Inc. and Later Career
5. Legacy

Biography of Berley B. Gardner

Berley Bradford Gardner, also known as a "country boy" from Texas, was born on December 4, 1902. He was one of the early American anthropologists and became a founding member and chairman of the consulting firm "Social Research Inc." Gardner is well-known for his innovative work in motivational research and quantitative marketing research.

Education and Early Career

Gardner earned a master's degree in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. He then used his scholarship to study at Harvard University, where he obtained a doctoral degree in social anthropology. During his time at Harvard, Gardner received assistance with his dissertation from W. Lloyd Warner.

In the late 1920s, Gardner began his academic career as a registrar in the Department of Industrial Research at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. This position allowed him to further explore his interest in social organization and research.

Research and Publications

In 1933, together with anthropologist Allison Davis and Mary R. Gardner, Gardner conducted research on the social organization of rural communities in Mississippi. The findings from these studies were published in the book "Deep South" in 1941.

Social Research Inc. and Later Career

In 1946, Gardner became one of the founders of the consulting firm "Social Research Inc." There, he worked alongside psychologist Carl Rogers, sociologist W. Lloyd Warner, analyst Benjamin Drake Wright, and others. Gardner served as the firm's chairman from 1972 to 1984.

Additionally, Gardner held a senior faculty position at the University of Chicago and was a member of the board of the Duncan Arts Center, founded by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Chicago. He was also a member of the American Marketing Association.

The primary goal of "Social Research Inc." was to use social science to develop new approaches to solving commercial problems.

Legacy

Berley B. Gardner passed away on January 12, 1985, at Highland Park Hospital. He left behind two sons, Andrew and Stephen, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.