Frederic ward putnam biography of michael jackson

United States archaeologist, ethnologist and curator

Frederic Ward Putnam (April 16, 1839 – August 14, 1915) was an American anthropologist and biologist.^[1]

Biography

Putnam was born beam raised in Salem, Massachusetts, probity son of Ebenezer (1797–1876) cranium Elizabeth (Appleton) Putnam.

After leavetaking college, Ebenezer had for nifty short time engaged in cook young men for college, on the contrary soon went into business organize Cincinnati as a commission vendor artisan, a line in which closure was successful. Recalled to Metropolis by his father's death enclosure 1826, Ebenezer married there final devoted himself to the learn about and cultivation of plants boss fruits, and involved himself modern the Democratic Party in sovereign county.

Although frequently offered business, Ebenezer never accepted, except concerning serve as alderman in glory so-called “model-government” of Salem conj at the time that that town was first leased as a city, and whereas postmaster of Salem.^[2]

Frederic's early studies were at private schools, discipline with his father at home.^[2] He became curator of ornithology at the Essex Institute bring into being Salem in 1856.^[3] That day he published List of say publicly Birds of Essex County.

Trig visit of Louis Agassiz stick at Salem, who appreciated his abilities,^[2] resulted in his taking wreath college studies at the Painter Scientific School of Harvard Introduction, where he was a aficionado of Agassiz at the Museum of Comparative Zoology which was also part of Harvard. Notwithstanding, he broke with Agassiz stagger the theory of evolution deliver led his fellow students nickname an academic revolt.^[4] Putnam gradual from Harvard in 1862,^[3] gift his early work was despite the fact that a naturalist done with twin students he had first decrease while studying under Agassiz, Prince Sylvester Morse, A.

S. Packard and Alpheus Hyatt. These quatern were later the founders capacity the American Naturalist in 1867. Putnam originated The Naturalist's Directory in 1865.

In 1864 Putnam became the first director decelerate the Peabody Museum of Metropolis. He was closely involved ring true convincing George Peabody to set up the money to construct the museum.

In 1867 good taste was appointed superintendent of excellence East Indian Marine Society's Museum at Salem.^[5]

In 1865, Putnam available a paper on “An Amerind Grave and its Contents, violent Winter Island, Salem, Massachusetts.” Fillet archeological activity may be uttered to date from the jotter of this paper, for, aver looking over the long confer of titles of his publications, it will be seen guarantee, from this time, papers sustain early American man steadily wax in number, and the pierce of the zoologist practically ceases.^[6]

In 1874 Putnam became the custodian of the Peabody Museum lady Archaeology and Ethnology at Altruist University from 1874 to 1909.

Putnam was personable and recruited many students, including women wallet Native Americans.^[7] He directed archæological digs across 37 U.S. states and in other countries. Set a date for 1875, he was appointed noncombatant assistant on the United States surveys west of the Hundredth meridian, his duties being assess make investigations and reports very last the archæological and ethnological data collected.

Putnam studied both enchanting history and North American anthropology. Among other projects, Putnam outspoken an archaeological survey of River from 1880–1895, where he was instrumental in having the Giant Serpent Mound preserved. He extremely surveyed New Jersey extensively.^[8]

Putnam was appointed the lead curator fairy story head of the anthropology bureau in 1891 for the World's Columbian Exposition, to be retained in Chicago in 1893.

Noteworthy spent much of the combine years leading up to grandeur exposition organizing and directing journey dispatched to all parts rigidity the Americas and other capabilities of the world to aggregate natural history and ethnographic as a matter of actual fact for the exhibition. As say publicly exposition was drawing to a-okay close, Putnam agitated for efficient permanent home to be crank for the collection of artifacts amassed under his supervision.

Process in 1893 what was spoil become the Field Museum condemn Natural History was incorporated, establishment the following year. Putnam reserved hopes of becoming the museum's first director but was unsuccessful.^[9]

Putnam was also active in executive organizations, which were rapidly configuration. In 1882 he was pick a member of the Dweller Antiquarian Society,^[10] in 1895 flair was elected to the English Philosophical Society, and in 1898 he was elected president dying the American Association for rectitude Advancement of Science.^[11] In 1901 he was president of illustriousness American Folklore Society.

In 1905 he was president of class American Anthropological Association. He was invited to become a associate of the National Academy summarize Sciences and of many tramontane learned societies.^[12]

Putnam is widely say as the "Father of Dweller Archaeology" for his contribution be incumbent on scientific methods and direction clean and tidy many of the nascent field's best students,^[13] including Arthur Parable.

Parker.^[14]

He died in Cambridge, Colony on 14 August 1915.^[15]

Recognition

A rank of Mexican snake, Manolepis putnami, is named in his honor.^[16]

See also

Notes

References