Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c1929-c1982 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
19 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Isaac Schapera was born in 1905 in Garies in Little Namaqualand, south of the Orange River in the Northwestern Cape. Here he acquired a fluency in Afrikaans and an interest in the peoples around him. He enrolled at the University of Cape Town where he intended to study law, but after attending a course of lectures by A R Radcliffe-Brown, he changed to anthropology. After completing his masters degree in 1925, Schapera was accepted as a doctoral candidate at the London School of Economics. He joined Malinowski's seminar and was for a time his research assistant. His supervisor was C G Seligman. He held an assistant lectureship at LSE for a year, 1928-1929, and then returned to South Africa. He lectured for a year at the University of Witwatersrand and then returned to the University of Cape Town, where he was made Professor in 1935.In 1950, he returned to the LSE where he accepted a chair in anthropology. He retired from teaching in 1969. Over the years, Schapera made many trips to Botswana and had a deep interest in the history of the Tswana people. As part of his historical research, he made a study of missionary records, and undertook the editing of Robert Moffat's journals and letters and the unpublished writings of David Livingstone.
Archival history
GB 0097 SCHAPERA c1929-c1982 collection 19 boxes Schapera, Isaac, b 1905, social anthropologist
Isaac Schapera was born in 1905 in Garies in Little Namaqualand, south of the Orange River in the Northwestern Cape. Here he acquired a fluency in Afrikaans and an interest in the peoples around him. He enrolled at the University of Cape Town where he intended to study law, but after attending a course of lectures by A R Radcliffe-Brown, he changed to anthropology. After completing his masters degree in 1925, Schapera was accepted as a doctoral candidate at the London School of Economics. He joined Malinowski's seminar and was for a time his research assistant. His supervisor was C G Seligman. He held an assistant lectureship at LSE for a year, 1928-1929, and then returned to South Africa. He lectured for a year at the University of Witwatersrand and then returned to the University of Cape Town, where he was made Professor in 1935.In 1950, he returned to the LSE where he accepted a chair in anthropology. He retired from teaching in 1969. Over the years, Schapera made many trips to Botswana and had a deep interest in the history of the Tswana people. As part of his historical research, he made a study of missionary records, and undertook the editing of Robert Moffat's journals and letters and the unpublished writings of David Livingstone.
Schapera's field notebooks from his work in Botswana (then Bechuanaland), recording work on the Kgatta, Kwena, Ngwato and Ngwakelse tribes; working papers and notes, including genealogies of royal families, correspondence, drafts of an unpublished book on David Livingstone; various printed documents on the subject of Botswana; and books from Schapera's library on the subject of David Livingstone.
This collection is arranged in 3 sections: 1. Field Note Books, 1929-1938; 2. Papers, 1940-1964; 3. Printed Material, 1848-1982.
OPEN
COPYRIGHT IS HELD BY THE DONOR
English
Printed handlist and online catalogue available.
Output from CAIRS using template 14 and checked by hand on May 29, 2002 May 29, 2002 Anthropology Bechuanaland Botswana Ethnic groups Genealogy Kgatta , tribe Kwena , tribe Livingstone , David , 1813-1873 , missionary and explorer Monarchy Ngwakelse , tribe Ngwato , tribe Political systems Schapera , Isaac , b 1905 , social anthropologist Southern Africa Tribes
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Schapera's field notebooks from his work in Botswana (then Bechuanaland), recording work on the Kgatta, Kwena, Ngwato and Ngwakelse tribes; working papers and notes, including genealogies of royal families, correspondence, drafts of an unpublished book on David Livingstone; various printed documents on the subject of Botswana; and books from Schapera's library on the subject of David Livingstone.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged in 3 sections: 1. Field Note Books, 1929-1938; 2. Papers, 1940-1964; 3. Printed Material, 1848-1982.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
OPEN
Conditions governing reproduction
COPYRIGHT IS HELD BY THE DONOR
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Printed handlist and online catalogue available.
Allied materials area
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Existence and location of copies
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Publication note
Notes area
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Language(s)
- English