Claude Levi Strauss was a renowned French ethnologist who pioneered the theory of structuralism in anthropology. Born to parents of Jewish faith in France, he spent his childhood in Paris and attended the Sorbonne University. Though he started out studying law and philosophy, he eventually graduated in Philosophy. After completing his education he began his academic career at the ‘University of Sao Paulo’. During his tenure at the University he accompanied his wife on several expeditions to Brazil and Amazon rainforests. The expedition was formidable in shaping up his reputation as an anthropologist. During the War he represented the French army and was stationed at the Maginot Line. After the French annexure he had to flee the country as the Jewish oppression increased. He eventually landed in New York where he befriended Roman Jakobson and Franz Boas. The latter was instrumental in introducing him to American anthropology. After successfully defending his thesis he was awarded a doctorate from Sorbonne. He returned to Paris and set about working on his most important book on anthropology, titled ‘The Elementary Structures of Kinship’. Throughout his career he inked several titles on anthropology and was appointed to various academic positions in prestigious institutions. Read on to know more about his life and works.