He was a major contributor to sociological theory and field studies, best known for his distinction between two types of social groups, Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft.
Ferdinand Tönnies, nemški sociolog, filozof in ekonomist, * 26. julij 1855, okolica Oldensworta, Eiderstedt, Severna Frizija, † 9. april 1936, Kiel, Nemčija.