National Anthropological Archives

MS 2008-12 Matthew Stirling manuscript on the history of anthropology

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS2008-12
Creators:
Stirling, Matthew Williams, 1896-1975
Carmichael, Leonard, 1898-1973
Dates:
circa August 1956
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
21 Leaves
typescript
11 x 8.5 inches.
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection is comprised of a 20-leaf typed manuscript of an article tracing the history of anthropology in America. A title has been added in blue ink, presumably by Stirling, which reads "The History of Anthropology in America with Special Reference to the Smithsonian Institution." Also present is a letter from Stirling to Dr. Leonard Carmichael relating to the article.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Matthew Williams Stirling (1896-1975) was educated at the University of California (B.A., 1920) and George Washington University (M.S.,1922). He was awarded a D.Sc. by Tampa University in 1943. From 1921-1924, Stirling was a museum aid and assistant curator in the Smithsonian Institution's Division of Ethnology. In 1928, after several years absence from the Smithsonian staff, he became the chief of the Bureau of American Ethnology. He continued in the position until 1957, his title changing to director in 1947. After his retirement, Stirling was a research associate of the Smithsonian, a collaborator in archeology with the National Park Service, and a member of the Committee on Research and Exploration of the National Geographic Society. In addition to his career as an administrator, Stirling was active in the field, carrying out excavations in Florida, Georgia, South Dakota, New Guinea, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Mexico. He is best known for his discoveries relating to the Olmec civilization.

Administration

Custodial History
Found in NAA vertical file.

Using the Collection

Citation
Manuscript 2008-12, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.

Other Archival Materials

Other Archival Materials
See also Matthew Williams Stirling Papers.

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
NAA MS 2008-12


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Anthropologists -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Anthropology -- United States -- History Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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