aiming to prove the absence of scientific foundation to theories of racial superiority. The 1951 UNESCO Statement on the Nature of Race and Race Differences enshrined these findings. A dedicated anthropologist and humanitarian, he brought the brilliance of South American Indian cultures to light, solved the mysteries of Easter Island, taught the world about Voodoo, and defined the United Nations' stand against racism. His books include Voodoo, The History of the Incas and Easter Island. Alfred Métraux took his own life by an overdose of barbiturates. On 20 April 1963, Alfred Métraux's corpse was discovered near the Chateaux de la Madeleine in the Vallee de Chevreuse about 30 km outside of Paris. At the time of his death, he was Professor of South American Anthropology at the École Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris. Personal life Métraux was married three times. Each of his wives was in a different way a scientific collaborator. His first wife, Eva Spiro Métraux, translated anthropological materials from English to French. His second wife, Rhoda Bubendey Métraux did research with him in Mexico, Argentina, and Haiti and was a well known anthropologist. He also married Fernande Schulmann who accompanied him to Chile, Peru, and Brazil and who planned to work with him in Paraguay. He was survived also by his brother, Guy Métraux (1919-2000) of Paris, his sister, Vera Conne (1920-2009) of Lausanne, and by two sons: Eric Métraux (1927–92) from his first marriage, and Daniel Alfred Métraux (born 1948), the son of Rhoda Métraux. References External links Alfred Métraux Biography at the Minnesota State University Scientists from Lausanne 1902 births 1963 suicides Ethnographers École pratique des hautes études alumni Academic staff of the École pratique des hautes études École Nationale des Chartes alumni Swiss anthropologists Swiss people of Georgian descent Drug-related suicides in France Brazilianists 20th-century anthropologists Researchers in Rapa Nui archaeology