Spier, Leslie, 1893-1961

Anthropologist.

From the description of Leslie Spier papers, 1924-1961. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 80971494

Anthropologist; b. Leslie Ephraim Spier.

From the description of Leslie Spier collection, 1918-1931. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70922393

Leslie Spier (December 13, 1893 – December 3, 1961) studied the Klamath Indians as well as Plains Indians and Indians of the Southwest during his career as an anthropologist. In 1920 he obtained his doctorate in anthropology from Columbia University and went on to work for the American Museum of Natural History and several major universities, spending the longest part of his career at the University of New Mexico. He conducted extensive field work, authored a number of important monographs, including Klamath Ethnography (1930) and served as editor of several important anthropological publications.

Singers on the recordings include Celia Lynch, Mrs. Usie George, Lizzie Schonchin and Peter Schonchin. Peter Schonchin (ca. 1858-1939) fought in the Modoc War. He was the son of Schonchin John, one of the Modoc leaders executed after the war. Lizzie Robinson Schonchin (1858-1940) was Peter's fifth wife. Celia Lynch (1853-1940) was a Modoc tribal member very knowledgeable about traditional practices.

From the guide to the Modoc Indian Songs and Documentation, 1934, (Oregon Institute of Technology Shaw Historical Library)