The historical figure celebrated for contributions to the field of anthropology is Franz Boas. Often referred to as the "father of American anthropology," Boas critiqued prevailing notions of racial hierarchy and cultural superiority. He advocated for a rigorous, scientific approach to studying cultures, emphasizing cultural relativism. Boas' work profoundly shaped the discipline of anthropology, promoting the idea that cultural diversity is worthy of study and respect, which has influenced both social sciences and humanities.