Columbia Remembers Renowned Sociologist and National Medal of Science Winner Robert K. Merton

Robert K. Merton, the esteemed Columbia sociologist, and one of the trailblazers in the field of the social sciences in America, died on Sunday, February 23, in New York at the age of 92. Best known for founding the sociology of science and for his theoretical work analyzing social structures, particularly the intended and unintended consequences of social action, Merton became the first sociologist ever to win the National Medal of Science in 1994. Merton was honored in a memorial ceremony in St. Paul's Chapel on Friday, May 2.

Eric Wanner

President of Russel Sage Foundation

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Joel Conarroe

President Emeritus of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation

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Jonathan Cole

Columbia University Provost

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Lee Bollinger

Columbia University President

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Michael Sovern

Former President of Columbia University

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Paul Marks

President Emeritus and Member of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

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Samantha Dunne Merton

Robert K. Merton's Granddaughter

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Stephanie Merton Tombrello

Robert K. Merton's Daughter

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Stephen Stigler

Ernest DeWitt Burton Professor of Statistics at the University of Chicago

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• Renowned Columbia Sociologist and National Medal of Science Winner Robert K. Merton Dies at 92

Shot: May 02, 2003
Published: May 08, 2003
Last modified:May 13, 2003