William Bascom
William Bascom | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 23, 1912 |
| Died | September 11, 1981 (aged 69) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Known for | studies of Yoruba culture and religion; "four functions of folklore" |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | folklore, cultural anthropology |
| Institutions | Lowie Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley |
| Doctoral advisor | Melville J. Herskovits |
William R. Bascom (May 23, 1912 – September 11, 1981) was an award-winning American folklorist, anthropologist, and museum director. He was a specialist in the art and culture of West Africa and the African Diaspora, especially the Yoruba of Nigeria.