James A. Beckford

James Arthur Beckford FBA (1 December 1942 – 10 May 2022)[1] was a British sociologist of religion.[2] He was professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Warwick and a Fellow of the British Academy.[3] In 1988/1989, he served as president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion,[4] and from 1999 to 2003, as the president of the International Society for the Sociology of Religion.[3][5]

Apart from general writings on the sociology of religion, Beckford has been a prolific author of books and articles on new religious movements and society's responses to them. He has also researched and written about religious issues affecting prison inmates.

  1. ^ In Memoriam: Professor Jim Beckford
  2. ^ Swatos, William H.; Kivisto, Peter. Encyclopedia of Religion and Society, Rowman Altamira 1998, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-7619-8956-1. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  3. ^ a b Beckford, James A.; Demerath, Nicholas Jay. The SAGE Handbook of the Sociology of Religion, SAGE 2007, p. x, ISBN 978-1-4129-1195-5
  4. ^ Beckford's page at the University of Warwick's Department of Sociology website
  5. ^ Swain, Harriet (29 October 1999). Glittering Prizes, Times Higher Education. Retrieved 18 June 2010.