Putnam, Patrick Tracy Lowell, 1903 or 1904-1953

Patrick Tracy Lowell Putnam (1904-1953) was born into a wealthy and well-connected New England family. Initially an only child, his parents eventually adopted six additional children. During his undergraduate career (Harvard, 1925), Putnam studied anthropology after joining an expedition to Dutch New Guinea under the tutelage of Professor Earnest A. Hooton. Upon graduating, Putnam developed an interest in the Congo Pygmies: from 1928-1930, Putnam carried out ethnological studies in the Congo for the Peabody Museum.

In Zaire , Putnam established Camp Putnam, an important outpost located deep in the Ituri Forest . The camp enabled Putnam to devote himself to the study of the Mbuti while operating a small guesthouse for traveling Westerners and providing basic medical services to the local people. Putnam's physician father also contributed his medical skills during long visits. Patrick Putnam spent the rest of his life in Africa, gaining a reputation for knowing more about the Mbuti than any other Westerner at that time.

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