Paper short abstract:

By assessing German and Austrian contributions to the London Africa Institute up until 1939, especially those made by anthropologists like Guenter Wagner and Richard Thurnwald whose loyalty remained with the Nazi regime, this paper honours Kuper’s discussion of the history of social anthropology.

Paper long abstract:

This paper addresses forms of interaction between British anthropologists and those from Austria and Germany before, during, and right after WW II. After an overview of those who came to the UK for political reasons, and of their further careers in the UK and elsewhere (Nadel,Fuerer-Haimendorf, Kirchhof), a special focus will be put upon those whose loyalty remained with the Nazi regime, among them Guenter Wagner and Richard Thurnwald. By assessing German and Austrian contributions to the London Africa institute right until 1939, the paper also will honour Adam Kuper's discussion of the history of social anthhropology.