United Kingdom
James George Frazer
said
A candidate for the priesthood could only succeed to office by slaying the priest, and having slain him, he retained office till he was himself slain by a stronger or a craftier.
— Chapter 1, The King of the Wood.
James George Frazer
Scottish social anthropologist (1854–1941)
- Fame56.1
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Summary
Updated 2026-06-21
He mapped the world's myths and rituals into one sprawling argument about magic, religion, and the death of kings — then spent decades watching younger scholars dismantle it.
Biography
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James George Frazer was born in Glasgow on 1 January 1854, trained as a classicist, and turned to social anthropology and folklore when the field barely had a name. His work shaped the early study of comparative religion and mythology, building vast architectures of pattern from cultures he never visited. He was knighted for the effort. By the time he died on 7 May 1941, the ground had shifted: the next generation had begun tearing down the grand theories, but the questions he asked still echoed.
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James George Frazer
said
The natives of British Columbia live largely upon the fish which abound in their seas and rivers.
— Chapter 3, Sympathetic Magic.
James George Frazer
said
For there are strong grounds for thinking that, in the evolution of thought, magic has preceded religion.
— Chapter 3, Sympathetic Magic.
James George Frazer
said
But once a fool always a fool, and the greater the power in his hands the more disastrous is likely to be the use he makes of it.
— Chapter 3, Sympathetic Magic.
James George Frazer
said
The old notion that the savage is the freest of mankind is the reverse of the truth.
— Chapter 3, Sympathetic Magic (See also: the Noble savage).
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Stable56.1
Composite of search demand, mentions, audience & graph footprint.
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Historical24.1
Source confidence60.0
Completeness70.0
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