Alliot, Laurena

Biography / Administrative History

Dr. Hector Alliot (1862-1919), was the first curator for the Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute collections in 1901, and in 1912, he oversaw its transfer to the Southwest Museum where he became Director in 1917.

Hector Alliot was the son of Jehan Hector Alliot and Lelia Beymier Alliot. He was born at Chateau des Forestiers, Gironde, France, on 1862 November 20. He was schooled in France and later, Italy where he received his doctorate at the University of Lombardy. Alliot came to the United States in his "early manhood" and his first archaeological work was as Director of the Cliff Dwellers' Exploration exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. That same year, he met Laurena Moore and they married on 1883 November 20. Laurena Moore was from Barnesville, Ohio. According to a memoriam written for Hector, Laurena was described as "an American girl of pioneer stock, a devoted wife of strong physique and mentality, who appreciated [Hector's] talents and helped him to make the most of them through the rest of his life."

Dr. Alliot was involved with many organizations and educational institutions throughout his life. He was the first President and organizer of the Lafayette Society; worked faithfully for the Red Cross and the general and specific relief movement through the first World War; was created Knight Commander of the O.M. and awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science and Philosophy for a thesis read before the Royal Academy of Lombardy; was President of Southern California Academy of Sciences, having been a Fellow and member of the Board of Directors for a number of years while giving lectures in Archaeology; was the trustee of the LA School of Art and Design; Secretary of the Los Angeles Society Archaeological Institute of America; Secretary Treasurer of the Hispanic Society of California; Secretary-Treasurer of the Southwest Welfare League; member of the American Federation of Fine Arts League, Los Angeles; member of the Allies' Commission and the Library War Council; and he was a professor of art history at USC. Dr. Alliot was also a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times on artistic and scientific subjects, and served for a time as its musical critic. His main interests were archeology, ethnology, aboriginal crafts, and the arts in general. He was well traveled, spoke several languages, contributed to art and scientific journals, and had explored cliff-dwelling sites in the Southwest.

Dr. Alliot's greatest accomplishment was the Southwest Museum. He was appointed curator of the collections in 1901, and later, director of the Museum on 1917 January 10. Alliot played an integral role in the early development of the Southwest Museum, and was active in pushing the Museum's interests, leading to the Museum's vital role in Southern California life. He gave lectures before public schools, clubs, and organizations throughout the Southland, and encouraged tours of the Museum. He was also actively involved with building exhibits, and identifying and cataloging the Museum's collections. Dr. Alliot championed the construction of a tunnel into the rocky hill at street level and an elevator to carry passengers up into the Museum. The tunnel included a series of dioramas, or miniature groups, illustrating American Indian life. It also facilitated greater accessibility to the Museum, and following its completion, the Museum witnessed an increase in attendance of visitors to 50,000 a year. Dr. Alliot however, did not live to see the completion of the tunnel; he died in March, 1919.

From the guide to the Hector and Laurena Alliot Manuscript Collection, 1903-1919, (Autry National Center. Institute for the Study of the American West)