Merton has contributed some of the most influential theories on the issue of deviance. Unarguably one of the most influential sociologists of our time, Merton has also made numerous contributions to the field of criminology. Merton's influence has also been felt by historians of science, economists, political theorists, anthropologists, humanities, law, and the world of science (Cole, 2004, p.37). Merton is best known for introducing such concepts as: self-fulfilling prophecy, anomie, strain, focused group interviews, middle-range theory, and deviant behavior. .
Born July 5, 1910 in the slums of South Philadelphia, Merton was probably most influenced by his own childhood. Merton's parents were Jewish immigrants, and lacked the wealth of some other U.S. citizens. Merton's father ran a dairy products shop, which was located below their home. Although Merton was not born with a silver spoon, he took advantage of the cultural riches surrounding his home. These included the Carnegie Library, cheap seats for Leopold Stokowski, and the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music. Robert K. Merton's birth name was Meyer R. Scholnick. It was at the age of fourteen, while making money doing magic tricks at parties that Merton decided to change his name (Gieryn 2004, p. 90). Intelligent and gifted, Merton was awarded a scholarship to Temple University, which was his ticket out of the environment he had grown up in. Once admitted to Temple University, Merton chose to keep his new name. He, in due course, became a research assistant to George E. Simpson, who introduced Merton to sociology, and also introduced him to Ralph Bunch and Franklin Frazier.
Simpson later introduced Merton to Pitirim Sorokin, the founding chair of the Harvard University sociology department. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Temple University, he received a fellowship to attend Harvard University for graduate work.