James Ferguson (anthropologist)

James Ferguson is an American anthropologist. He is known for his work on the politics and anthropology of international development, specifically his critical stance (development criticism). He is currently chair of the Anthropology Department at Stanford University. His best-known work is his book, The Anti-Politics Machine. He earned his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Selected publications

James Ferguson

James Ferguson may refer to:

James Ferguson, 1st Laird of Pitfour

James Ferguson (29 September 1672 – 1 January 1734) was a Scottish lawyer and was also the 1st Laird of Pitfour, a large estate in the Buchan area of north-east Scotland, which became known as 'The Blenheim of the North'. Prior to the purchase of the Pitfour estate, he had the honorific 'James Ferguson of Badifurrow', the estate he eventually inherited after his grandfather cut all ties with Ferguson's uncle, Robert Ferguson, who was in hiding to attempt to avoid treachery charges.

Ferguson was later known as the 'Sheriff', a reference to the post he held in Aberdeenshire from 1710. This helps differentiate him from men of subsequent generations bearing the same name.

Family and early life

Ferguson's surname is sometimes spelt as Fergusson, and he was initially known as James Ferguson of Badifurrow. He was born at Crichie, Garioch and was the son of William Ferguson, Laird of Badifurrow, who in turn was the younger brother of Robert Ferguson, who became known as 'the Plotter', and elder brother of Major General James Ferguson, who served at the Battle of Blenheim with the Duke of Marlborough.