Covering the life, work, ideas and impact of some of the most significant thinkers in sociology, "Fifty Key Sociologists: The Formative Theorists" concentrates on figures in the field writing principally in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Including entries on Jane Addams, Theodor Adorno, George Lukacs, Max Weber and Pitrim Sorokin, this practical text: is presented in an accessible A-Z format for maximum ease of use; provides full cross-referencing and a further reading section for each entry, in order to allow the reader to broaden their understanding of the area; and includes biographical data for each of the figures covered. Presenting the key works and ideas of each sociologist featured, as well as providing some critical assessment of their work, this is an ideal reference guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students of sociology, cultural studies and general studies, as well as other readers interested in this important field.