The French sociologist Emile Durkheim is a key figure in the development of sociology as an academic discipline, and was largely responsible for the transformation of the earlier diffuse philosophy of Comte and others into a university-based systematic discipline. This book examines his considerable achievements and situates them in their social and intellectual contexts, with a concise account of the major elements of Durkheim's sociology. The author discusses the reason for Durkheim's profound influence on subsequent developments in the subject, covers the historical and political background of his work, and demonstrates his achievement in setting sociology upon a sound academic base. The book includes a critical commentary on the four main studies which exemplify Durkheim's contribution to sociology: The Division of Labour in Society; Suicide; The Rules of Sociological Method and The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.