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Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 7350

Fewkes, Jesse Walter, 1850-1930

Jesse Walter Fewkes Notebook, circa 1886

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Fewkes, Jesse Walter, 1850-1930
Title:Jesse Walter Fewkes Notebook
Dates:circa 1886
Quantity:0.25 cu. ft. (1 half document box)
Collection:Record Unit 7350
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This notebook consists of observations and drawings of marine invertebrates in the area of Marblehead, Massachusetts, circa 1886. Included are observations of the fission of Astrophyton eggs, with drawings of the divisions, and an extended series of observations on Hanonia cara. Less detailed accounts list location, size, species, and abundance. Illustrations with proportional instructions were used to supplement the descriptions. Fewkes used Alexander Agassiz's prior work for reference and comparison. Also included is a sketch of Marblehead harbor from the water.

Historical Note

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.

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Introduction

This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.

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Descriptive Entry

This notebook consists of observations and drawings of marine invertebrates in the area of Marblehead, Massachusetts, circa 1886. Included are observations of the fission of Astrophyton eggs, with drawings of the divisions, and an extended series of observations on Hanonia cara. Less detailed accounts list location, size, species, and abundance. Illustrations with proportional instructions were used to supplement the descriptions. Fewkes used Alexander Agassiz's prior work for reference and comparison. Also included is a sketch of Marblehead harbor from the water.

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This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7350, Jesse Walter Fewkes Notebook

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