Charles Pearcy Mountford O.B.E., M.A. (Adel.), Dip. Anthrop. (Cantab.) | |
|---|---|
 Charles Mountford in 1947 | |
| Born | May 8, 1890 |
| Died | November 16, 1976 (aged 86) |
| Other names | Monty |
| Education | University of South Australia |
| Known for | Leader, 1948 American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land |
| Spouse(s) | Florence Purnell, Bessie Ilma Johnstone |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Awards | OBE (1955); Australian Natural History medallion (1945); National Geographic Society Franklin L. Burr award (1949); Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (South Australian branch) John Lewis gold medal (1955); Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Queensland branch) Thomson gold medal; Royal Society of South Australia Sir Joseph Verco medal (1971); University of Melbourne honorary Litt.D. (1973); University of Adelaide D.Litt. (1976) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Anthropology, Australian indigenous art |
| Institutions | University of South Australia |
| Thesis | Ayers Rock, Its People, Their Beliefs and Their Art |
| Academic advisors | Norman Tindale |
| Signature | |
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Charles Pearcy Mountford OBE (8 May 1890, Hallett – 16 November 1976, Norwood) was an Australian anthropologist and photographer. He is known for his pioneering work on Indigenous Australians and his depictions and descriptions of their art. He also led the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land.[1]
Mountford's written works, along with those by contemporaries, foreshadowed subsequent scholarly investigations like T. G. H. Strehlow's Journey to Horseshoe Bend (1969) and iconic late-20th-century works such as Stephen Muecke, Krim Benterrak, and Paddy Roe's Reading the Country: Introduction to Nomadology (1984).
Mountford's final book, Nomads of the Australian Desert, was the subject of an important court case due to its inclusion of culturally restricted content.
- ^ Jones, Philip (2000). "Mountford, Charles Pearcy (1890–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra, A.C.T.: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.