Fewkes, Jesse Walter, 1850-1930

Archaeologist and head of the Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology.

From the description of Letter : Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, to Walter Hough, Washington, D.C. 1916 Aug 10. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702150523

From the description of Letter : Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, to Walter Hough, Washington, D.C. 1916 Aug 10. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83206603

Jesse Walter Fewkes (1850-1930) was born in Newton, Massachusetts. His scientific work is separated into two distinct periods, the first dealing with marine zoology and the second devoted to ethnology. Fewkes received his Ph.D. in marine zoology from Harvard University in 1877 and remained at the Museum of Comparative Zoology in charge of the lower invertebrates until 1887. While in California on a collecting trip, Fewkes became interested in the Pueblo Indians and their culture. During the next few years, he visited Hopi villages and made some of the first recordings of Hopi music, beginning his lifelong study of tribal ceremonies. In 1895, Fewkes began to conduct archeological explorations for the Bureau of American Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution, and in 1918, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau. After his retirement in 1928, Fewkes continued his research as Associate Anthropologist until his death in 1930.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: Person : Description : rid_257_pid_EACP254