The Department of Sociology and Anthropology is saddened to convey the news of the passing of its retired Anthropology professor, Brian Given

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology is saddened to convey the news of the passing of its retired Anthropology professor, Brian Given.

Brian was very much a strong supporter of the Department, given his own long ties to it. He graduated with a MA in Anthropology from Carleton in 1978 and then after completing his PhD in Anthropology at the University of Alberta in 1986 he was a postdoctoral fellow in our Department from 1988 to 1990. In 1990, he began as a tenure-track assistant professor with us.

He had several longstanding research areas, including the cultural history of gun use in Canada and Tibetan religious practices. He also worked closely with Tibetan Canadian groups supporting their various initiatives.

Brian was a very committed and passionate lecturer, combining a substantive presentation of the topic at hand with insightful anecdotes illustrating the larger points. He was an active graduate supervisor, (co-)supervising and strongly supporting numerous students to completion.

He held virtually every administrative position in the Department, including stepping in as Chair in 2004-5 after the untimely passing of our then chair, Charlie Gordon. He also played an active role in administratively supporting the College of the Humanities for a few years after it was established in 1996 as well as teaching courses in the College.

Beyond teaching and carrying out research, Brian had many other interests, passions and skills. He was immensely knowledgeable and keen about photography, sailing, scuba diving, shooting, and motorcycles. He was a loving husband to Heather, adoring father to Alexis who was his absolute pride and joy, and was delighted to be a grandfather to Helen these past few years.

Brian retired in 2018 and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. He sadly passed on August 5th. Although no formal memorial is planned, anyone who wishes to send their condolences to his family, please feel free to contact us (soc-anthro@carleton.ca) and we will pass on the message.