The Kingdom Must Come Soon: the Role of AL Kroeber and the Hearst Survey in Shaping California Anthropology, 1901-1920
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced fFom the mMlm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or oopy submitteû. mus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typmwitw face, mile othen rnay be frorn any type of amputer printer. The qurfity of this reproduction is ôepenôent upon the qurlity of the copy submiüed. Broken or indistinct print, cdored or poor quality illustrafions and photographs, print bkmjthrough, substandard rnargins, and impro~er alignrnent can adversely affectreproduction. In the unlikely event that the BUfnOr did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be Med. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be rernoved, a note will indithe deletion. Oversize materials (e.9.. maps, drawings, char&) are reproduced by sectiming the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and cmtinuing from lefi to right in eqwl sections with small overlaps. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduœd xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9' bbck and white photûgfâphic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI direcüy to order. Bell & Howell Infortnation and Leaming 300 North Zeeb Rosd, Ann Arbor, MI 481û6-1346 USA 800-521-0600 "The Kingdom Must Corne Soon": The Role of A. L. Kroeber and the Hearst Survey in Shaping California Anthropology , 190 1- 1920 Fredenck Alexander Long B.A., Honors, University of Caiifomia, Santa Cniz, 1992 Thesis submitted in partial fullillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of History Q Frcderick Alexander Long 1998 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY August, 1998 Al1 rights rtserved. This thesis mpy not be rcpoduccd in whole or in pan, by photocopy or by other means, without the permission of the author. National Library Bibliothèque nationale I*u of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibtiographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Weiiington Streeî 395. rue Wellington OCtawaON KlAW OmwaON KlAONQ Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence aliowing the exclusive permettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or seil reproduire, prêter, distn'buer ou copies of this thesis in microfonn, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retauis ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fkom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othenwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Abstract This thesis is an institutiond and intellectual history of the Department and Museum of Anthropology at the University of Califomia between 1901 and 1920. It examines the role of A. L. Kroeber and the Hearst-sponsored anthropological survey of Native California in shaping the field of California anthropology. The narrative focuses on Kroeber's ideals, ambitions, and efforts at organizing a survey, building a museum, and estabiishing a department. The work of Kroeber and the survey are contextudized within the Boasian anthropological tradition and the cornpetitive museum market in California Indian art. Although many scholars have commented on Kroeber's part in the founding of UC anthropology, no one has extensively studied his role in the survey, the relationship of the survey to California anthropology, or the social history of the department during these years. Having examined budget data and departmental correspondence, I argue that irregular funding harnpered the development of anthropology at the University of California. Fieldwork under Kroeber's direction consequently becarne a means of securing financial support, maintaining that support, and claiming an institutional temtory. The role of Kroeber and the Hearst survey are important because they not only defined the field of Caiifornia anthropology, but also set a precedent for later research by establishing the parameters of an intellectual tradition. For my parents and In memory of Douglas LoweH Cole (1938-1997) Anthropology is my religion. -A. L. Kroeber Preface They stab it with heu steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast, -me Eagles. Hotel Cal#wnia If you must write. aiways have a duplicate copy filed away in a safe place. -Samuel Barrett This thesis concludes research initiated in 1988, when 1 first began to study the history of Amencan Anthropology at the University of California at Santa CNZ. My undergraduate thesis, which exarnined the relationship between salvage ethnography and the story of the Califomia Indian Ishi, served as an introduction to the history of the discipline. When 1 carne to Simon Fraser University years later, 1 had hoped to write an ethnohistory of early twentieth-century anthropology, revivifiing the contributions of California Indian peoples. As 1 turned to archival collections, however, and realized the scattered nature of the historiography, 1 had to postpone that project. Too many questions remained unanswered. Through my research, 1 soon encountered another project: the role of Alfred Kroeber and the Hearst survey in the history of California anthropology. While scholars have long recognized Kroeber as the "founding father" of Anthropology at the University of California, few know what he went through to accomplish his goals. This thesis is not just a story about the development of the department and its California field; it is also about Kroeber's ambition, idealism, dedication, and tenacity. Over the past three years, my experiences with this project have ken more challenging than anyone ever anticipated. Financial, insiitutional, and technical obstacles, as well as other responsibilities, regularly hindered the completion of my research and this thesis-my beast of burden. (There is great irony in my title.) Like anthropologist Samuel Barrett, 1 bave learned to always keep duplicate copies of my work in a safe place. In 1906, he almost lost the only copy of his M.A. thesis to the fires of the San Francisco earthquake; this fa11 1 almost lost the only copy of my thesis to the oblivion of compted computer files. Thanks to Jeff Waite at Academic Computing Services and Brent and Thomas at the MCF lab, 1 did not. I have incurred so many personal and professional debts that one might Say this thesis represents far more than the labors of one individual. 1 can't possibly thank everyone. But since 1 am the author, I should at least claim responsibility for any significant errors or misrepresentations. They are mine alone. 1 should note that 1 am indebted to the pioneering work of schotars from the 1960s and 1970s, notably Regna Damell, George W. Stocking, Sr., and Timothy Thoresen. Darnell's rernarkable dissertation remains the only comprehensive history of the period between 1900 and 1920, and served as a guidepost for this study. The influence of their disparate yet collective contributions will be readily apparent. With the assistance of a department fellowship, 1 spent ten months examining twelve archival collections at three institutions: the Bancroft Library (UC Berkeley); the Harvard University Archives at the Pusey Library (Harvard); and the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Museum of Anthropology (UC Berkeley). 1 had to sift through thousands of letters, cross-reference them with hundreds of secretaria1 reports and published papers, and slowly constnict a working chronology that corresponded to irregular department budgets, al1 the while king aware of the occasional misplaced letter or file. Keeping organized became a ample task in and of itself. The staff at these institutions helped me access their collections and made my experiences rewarding. 1 owe them my gratitude. vii During the surnmer and fall of 1996, 1 spent nearly eight months at the Bancroft Library in Berkeley, where the University archivist. Bill Roberts, and the library staff gtaciously accommodated my numerous requests. Archivist Lauren Lassleben, who recently prepared a finding aid to the microfilm collection of the Kroeber Papers, was extraordinady unselfish with ber time. Iris Donovan, a staff member who doubles as a research consultant, adeptly tracked down missing correspondence. Grace Buzaljko, a frequent Bancroft researcher who is finishing a book on the UC department, comoborated some of rny interpretations. In the fall, 1 ais0 examined the photograph collections at the Hearst Museum of Anthropology, and received prompt help from Gene Price and Barbara Takiguchi, who printed photographs on short notice. My research would have been impossible without their efforts and cooperation. Archival research requires an introspective intensity that can Wear thin on any social animal, so 1 would Iike to single out friends who offered a corrective tonic to this experience. Shawnessy Johnson and Clayton Molstad, in particular, deserve my sincere thanks for providing culinaq comradery, rye humor, and a room with a view. Lisa Dillon not only inspired me to keep pushing and achieve my goal, but also taught me the meaning of "Pender Bender." Peter van der Meer listened to my monologues and read several drafts, seeing more sides to my personality than either of us knew existed. Mary Ann Pope, graduate secretary in the SFU history department, was always supportive and generous while cmrdinating, from beginning to end, Our long distance run around. They have al1 lived through this experience with me. In August of 1997, Douglas Cole, my senior supervisor, suddenly passed away. With the subsequent reorganization of my thesis cornmittee, a number of people took on viii unexpected responsibilities. Christine Mullins, Doug's wife, kindly gave me access to his research notes and manuscnpt on Franz Boas. Michael Fellman accepted the role of senior supervisor, and kept me practjcal yet reassured.