Jesse Walter Fewkes

Jesse Walter Fewkes: A Man of Two Worlds

Jesse Walter Fewkes (1850-1930) was an American scholar whose career bridged the fields of zoology and anthropology/archaeology. Here's a breakdown of his life and achievements:

Early Life and Education:

• Born in Newton, Massachusetts in 1850.
• Studied at Harvard University, graduating with honors in Natural History in 1875.
• Influenced by Louis Agassiz, a prominent naturalist, while attending the Agassiz School on Penikese Island.

Shifting Focus:

• Initially focused on marine zoology, receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1877.
• Became curator of lower invertebrates at the Museum of Comparative Zoology until 1887.
• Developed an interest in anthropology during a collecting trip to the western United States.

Anthropological and Archaeological Pursuits:

• Studied the Pueblo Indians, particularly the Hopi people, making some of the first recordings of their music.
• Conducted extensive archaeological explorations for the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of American Ethnology from 1895 onwards.
• Became Chief of the Bureau in 1918 and remained a leading figure in American anthropology until his retirement in 1928.
• Also held an interest in the prehistoric inhabitants of Puerto Rico.

Legacy:

• Fewkes' work significantly contributed to the understanding of Native American cultures, particularly the Hopi people.
• He played a key role in documenting and preserving archaeological sites in the American Southwest.
• His publications and research helped bridge the gap between zoology and anthropology, fostering a more holistic approach to studying the human experience.