It was while studying anthropology at Harvard that George met his future wife and lifelong collaborator, Laura W. Reynolds. They were married on May 25, 1957, beginning a partnership in both life and scholarship that would span nearly six decades. In 1958, George was appointed Research Scholar in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the Australian National University in Canberra, where his groundbreaking work with the Rungus Momogun began. Working side by side until Laura’s passing in 2015, George and Laura built a body of research distinguished by authenticity, long-term community relationships, and lasting scholarly value.
Following George’s death in 2020, their daughters assumed leadership of the Firebird Foundation, carrying forward a shared family commitment that now spans three generations. Their Fellowship Program was thoughtfully revised to be called Firebird Foundation Research Grants, continuing their parents’ legacy by supporting oral literature research worldwide and reinforcing the Foundation’s enduring dedication to preserving and advancing the world’s oral traditions.
We invite you to learn more about the lives and lasting contributions of each founder: