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Tom Harrisson

British polymath (1911-1976) · United Kingdom · On the map · Academics · Died at 64

Major Tom Harnett Harrisson, DSO, OBE was an Argentine-born British polymath. In the course of his life he was an ornithologist, explorer, journalist, broadcaster, soldier, guerrilla, ethnologist, museum curator, archaeologist, documentarian, film-maker, conservationist and writer.

Tom Harrisson is read about 23 times a day, in 6 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 5 August 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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Tom Harrisson

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Former spouse Barbara Harrisson

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Photos 1

A scene in the studio during the broadcast of the BBC radio programme 'Answering You' in 1941. Left to right the panel are: Tom Harrisson, public opinion expert and co-founder of Mass-Observation; Sir Henry Bunbury; Edward Hulton, publishing house proprietor; District Officer A.F. Locke, a fireman; L.S. Amery, Secretary of State for India; W.J. Brown, Secretary of the Civil Service Clerical Association; and Z.A. Bokhari, poet and broadcaster and an Indian living in London. Also present are Mrs Vyvyan Adams and, with his back to the camera, the presenter, Stanley Maxted.

A scene in the studio during the broadcast of the BBC radio programme 'Answering You' in 1941. Left to right the panel are: Tom Harrisson, public opinion expert and co-founder of Mass-Observation; Sir Henry Bunbury; Edward Hulton, publishing house proprietor; District Officer A.F. Locke, a fireman; L.S. Amery, Secretary of State for India; W.J. Brown, Secretary of the Civil Service Clerical Association; and Z.A. Bokhari, poet and broadcaster and an Indian living in London. Also present are Mrs Vyvyan Adams and, with his back to the camera, the presenter, Stanley Maxted.

Awards

Patron’s Medal1962

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

About this person

He was often described as an anthropologist, and sometimes referred to as the "Barefoot Anthropologist".

Country

United Kingdom

Category

Academics

Type

Academic

Status

Deceased

Dates

Lived 1911 to 1976 · aged 64

Academics from the United Kingdom 6

O. G. S. Crawford45.2 of 100 Margaret Guido45.2 of 100 John McKay45.2 of 100 John Baines45.1 of 100

Bob Jessop45.2 of 100

Joseph Wedderburn45.1 of 100