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MENTOR] *°°Good Reading for the Millions
about the author
DR. RUTH FULTON BENEDICT, professor of
anthropology at Columbia University, died on September 17,
1948 at the age of 61. Her works include apart from Patterns
of Culture: Scientific Papers, Tales of the Cochiti Indians and Zuni
Mythology. A pamphlet, Races of Mankind, which she wrote
with Dr. Gene Weltfish, lecturer in anthropology at Columbia,
published by the Public Affairs Committee in 1943, sold more
than 250,000 copies, and its sale was increased when Repre-
sentative Andrew J. May, then chairman of the House Military
Affairs Committee, banned its distribution in Army recreation
centers and orientation courses, because the pamphlet stated
that the Negro and white races were equal, if given equal
economic and educational conditions.
Patterns of Culture has been the leading best-seller in the
Mentor series for three years. It has been widely adapted by
colleges and schools as required and supplementary reading.
And its phenomenal newsstand sale led its original publishers,
Houghton Mifflin, to take a front cover advertisement in Publishers
Weekly.