Bryan R. Wilson
Encyclopedia
Bryan Ronald Wilson, was Reader Emeritus in Sociology at the University of Oxford
and President of the International Society for the Sociology of Religion
1971-75.
in 1952. He continued his studies under the supervision of Donald MacRae
at the London School of Economics
where, in 1955, he completed his doctoral thesis, which formed the basis for his book Sects and Society published in 1961. Wilson then took up a lecturing post at the University of Leeds; he held this post until 1962, when the University of Oxford
awarded him an M.A. and appointed him as a Reader in Sociology. A year later he became a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
, and returned there after each of his many sojourns in Europe, America, Africa, Asia, or Australia as a researcher or Visiting Professor. In 1984, the University of Oxford conferred upon him a D.Litt. In 1992, the Catholic University of Leuven
, Louvain
, Belgium
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sociology of religion.
or SISR). At the 1991 conference he became the first scholar to receive an honorary presidency from the Society. He was European editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, sitting on the editorial board of the Annual Review of the Social Science of Religion, and sharing responsibility for the English-language papers of SISR issues of Social Compass.
Wilson has exercised a formative influence on the sociology of religion in Britain.
His 1959 An Analysis of Sect Development in the American Sociological Review and his book Sects and Society (Heinemann 1961) – a study of the Elim Churches, the Christadelphians
, and Christian Science (based on his doctoral thesis at the London School of Economics) – may be regarded as representing the beginning of contemporary academic study of new religious movements, to which Wilson later contributed its influential The Social Dimensions of Sectarianism: Sects and New Religious Movements in Contemporary Society (Oxford University Press 1990). He was also a pioneer of studies of millennialism, many years before this field achieved its present visibility, in Magic and the Millennium (Heinemann 1973).
In a eulogical article by Massimo Introvigne
, Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR
), he is described as "one of the most distinguished sociologists of the 20th century" who has exercised "a crucial influence on the sociology of religion, not only through his many publications but also through the generations of his graduate students.[...] Wilson will also be remembered as one of the most prominent academic champions of religious liberty in the 20th century. He defended new religious movements and other minorities against the various waves of international anti-cult campaigns, for no other personal reason than his passionate love for freedom and justice, since he defined himself as an atheist." In Memoriam: Bryan Ronald Wilson, 1926–2004
Eileen Barker
, James A. Beckford
, and Karel Dobbelaere
have called him "the doyen of sociological studies of religion in Britain, stating that in honoring Wilson, "they represent thousands of other scholars around the world who owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for the enrichment that he has brought to our understanding of modern societies."
They describe Wilson as "a scholar of indubitable integrity", adding that "Wilson displays a scrupulous attention to detail within a broad theoretical approach that not only educates and illuminates, but also stimulates his readers. Rarely does one find someone engaged in original research who is so influential theoretically. His lectures and writings, full of nuances and subtleties, are models of clarity and elegance."
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and President of the International Society for the Sociology of Religion
International Society for the Sociology of Religion
The International Society for the Sociology of Religion , also known as the Société Internationale de Sociologie des Religions , arose in 1989 from the International Conference on Sociology of Religion , founded in 1948...
1971-75.
Academic life
Wilson spent his undergraduate years at University College, London, obtaining a B.Sc. (Econ.) with First Class Honours from the University of LondonUniversity of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in 1952. He continued his studies under the supervision of Donald MacRae
Donald MacRae
Donald Alexander MacRae was a Canadian astronomer.Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia he was the Chair of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Toronto and Director of the David Dunlap Observatory from 1965 to 1978. He was one of a few Canadians who were early Ph.D...
at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
where, in 1955, he completed his doctoral thesis, which formed the basis for his book Sects and Society published in 1961. Wilson then took up a lecturing post at the University of Leeds; he held this post until 1962, when the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
awarded him an M.A. and appointed him as a Reader in Sociology. A year later he became a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
All Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
, and returned there after each of his many sojourns in Europe, America, Africa, Asia, or Australia as a researcher or Visiting Professor. In 1984, the University of Oxford conferred upon him a D.Litt. In 1992, the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
, Louvain
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sociology of religion.
Work and legacy
Wilson was a founding member of the University Association for the Sociology of Religion. From 1971 to 1975, he was President of the CISR (now known as the International Society for the Sociology of ReligionInternational Society for the Sociology of Religion
The International Society for the Sociology of Religion , also known as the Société Internationale de Sociologie des Religions , arose in 1989 from the International Conference on Sociology of Religion , founded in 1948...
or SISR). At the 1991 conference he became the first scholar to receive an honorary presidency from the Society. He was European editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, sitting on the editorial board of the Annual Review of the Social Science of Religion, and sharing responsibility for the English-language papers of SISR issues of Social Compass.
Wilson has exercised a formative influence on the sociology of religion in Britain.
His 1959 An Analysis of Sect Development in the American Sociological Review and his book Sects and Society (Heinemann 1961) – a study of the Elim Churches, the Christadelphians
Christadelphians
Christadelphians is a Christian group that developed in the United Kingdom and North America in the 19th century...
, and Christian Science (based on his doctoral thesis at the London School of Economics) – may be regarded as representing the beginning of contemporary academic study of new religious movements, to which Wilson later contributed its influential The Social Dimensions of Sectarianism: Sects and New Religious Movements in Contemporary Society (Oxford University Press 1990). He was also a pioneer of studies of millennialism, many years before this field achieved its present visibility, in Magic and the Millennium (Heinemann 1973).
In a eulogical article by Massimo Introvigne
Massimo Introvigne
Massimo Introvigne is an Italian sociologist and intellectual property consultant. He is the founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions , an international network of scholars who study new religious movements. Introvigne is the author of tens of books and articles in...
, Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR
CESNUR
CESNUR , is an organization based in Turin, Italy. It was established in 1988 by a group of religious scholars from universities in Europe and the Americas, working in the field of new religious movements. Its director is the Italian sociologist and attorney Massimo Introvigne...
), he is described as "one of the most distinguished sociologists of the 20th century" who has exercised "a crucial influence on the sociology of religion, not only through his many publications but also through the generations of his graduate students.[...] Wilson will also be remembered as one of the most prominent academic champions of religious liberty in the 20th century. He defended new religious movements and other minorities against the various waves of international anti-cult campaigns, for no other personal reason than his passionate love for freedom and justice, since he defined himself as an atheist." In Memoriam: Bryan Ronald Wilson, 1926–2004
Eileen Barker
Eileen Barker
Eileen Vartan Barker OBE, born in Edinburgh, UK, is a professor in sociology, an emeritus member of the London School of Economics , and a consultant to that institution's Centre for the Study of Human Rights...
, James A. Beckford
James A. Beckford
James Arthur Beckford is a British sociologist of religion. He is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Warwick and a Fellow of the British Academy...
, and Karel Dobbelaere
Karel Dobbelaere
Karel Dobbelaere is a Belgian educator and noted sociologist of religion. Dobbelaere is an Emeritus Professor of both the University of Antwerp and the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium...
have called him "the doyen of sociological studies of religion in Britain, stating that in honoring Wilson, "they represent thousands of other scholars around the world who owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for the enrichment that he has brought to our understanding of modern societies."
They describe Wilson as "a scholar of indubitable integrity", adding that "Wilson displays a scrupulous attention to detail within a broad theoretical approach that not only educates and illuminates, but also stimulates his readers. Rarely does one find someone engaged in original research who is so influential theoretically. His lectures and writings, full of nuances and subtleties, are models of clarity and elegance."
Legacy
In honor of Bryan R. Wilson the book "Secularization, Rationalism, and Sectarianism: Essays in Honour of Bryan R. Wilson" was made by his friends and students, and published.Further reading
- Secularization, Rationalism, and Sectarianism: Essays in Honour of Bryan R. Wilson. Contributors: Eileen Barker — editor, James A. Beckford — editor, Karel Dobbelaere — editor. Publisher: Clarendon Press. Place of Publication: OxfordOxfordThe city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Publication Year: 1993. - Times obituary