Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933

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Starr was born in Auburn, NY, Sept. 2, 1858; graduated from Lafayette College in 1882, and received his Ph. D in 1885; professor of biology, Coe College, 1883-87; Curator of Ethnology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, 1889-91; professor and Dean of the Science Dept., Pomona College, 1891; assoc. professor, Univ. of Chicago, 1895-1923; publications related to Mexico include: Some first steps in human progress (1895), American Indians (1898), Indians of Southern Mexico (1898), Readings from modern Mexican authors (1904), and In Indian Mexico (1908); died Aug. 14, 1933.

From the description of Collection of material relating to Mexico, 1860-1930. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 38514977

Anthropologist, author, editor, and educator.

From the description of Frederick Starr papers, 1927-circa 1930. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70980525

Alumnus, Class of 1882.

From the description of Mexican papers. 1900-1921. (Lafayette College). WorldCat record id: 52850984

From the description of [Articles, book reviews, etc.]. 1918-1920. (Lafayette College). WorldCat record id: 52968550

From the description of Congo Free State. 1908-1909. (Lafayette College). WorldCat record id: 52733817

From the description of [Anthropology]. 1894-1920. (Lafayette College). WorldCat record id: 52933078

From the description of [Miscellaneous]. 1888-1925. (Lafayette College). WorldCat record id: 52968625

African American anthropologist, college teacher, and author.

From the description of Frederick Starr collection, 1906-1928. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 70941302

Anthropologist. S.B., Lafayette College, 1882; S.M. and Ph. D., 1885. Professor of biological sciences, Coe College, 1884-87. Head, Department of Ethnology, American Museum of Natural History, 1889-91. Assistant professor of anthropology, University of Chicago, 1892-95; associate professor, 1895-1923. Curator of the anthropological section, Walker Museum, University of Chicago, 1895-1923.

From the description of Papers, 1868-1935 (inclusive), 1892-1923 (bulk). (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52250118

Frederick Starr (1858-1933) was an American anthropologist and ethnologist. He taught biology at Coe College and geography at Chautauqua University and worked as a classifier in the Dept. of Ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History. In 1891 he taught geology and anthropology at Pomona College and the following year organized the Anthropology Dept. at the University of Chicago where he taught until his retirement in 1923.

From the guide to the Frederick Starr papers, 1833-1925, 1920-1925, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Frederick Starr (1858-1933) was professor of anthropology at the University of Chicago from 1892 until his retirement in 1923. Starr was born in Auburn, New York, the fourth son of a Presbyterian minister. He was educated at the University of Rochester and received a Ph.D. in geology from Lafayette College in 1885. He served in various academic posts including registrar and professor of geography at Chautauqua where he became acquainted with William Rainey Harper. In 1892, Harper asked Starr to help organize a program in anthropology at the new University of Chicago. Starr taught anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology under the leadership of Head Professor Albion W. Small. He was an active and popular lecturer throughout his tenure at the University, combining a heavy teaching load with extensive travel. He also served as curator of the Walker Museum from 1895 until retirement. Starr's reputation was not based on his scholarship, but on a popular and controversial lecture style which did much to create an interest in the study of culture. Fay-Cooper Cole, Starr's successor at the University, praised him in the Dictionary of American Biography for "The wide interest he personally created in the subject of anthropology, and the appreciation of other peoples which he engendered in his students." Starr retired from active teaching in 1923 His students gave him a sum of money, which he used to buy a house in Seattle. Starr remained active during the last ten years of his life, making a number of trips to the Orient and lecturing throughout the western United States. He died in Tokyo of bronchial pneumonia in August 1933.

From the guide to the Starr, Frederick. Liberian Research Collection, 1792-1914, (Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)

Frederick Starr (1858-1933) was an American anthropologist and ethnologist.

He taught biology at Coe College and geography at Chautauqua University and worked as a classifier in the Dept. of Ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History. In 1891 he taught geology and anthropology at Pomona College and the following year organized the Anthropology Dept. at the University of Chicago where he taught until his retirement in 1923.

From the description of Frederick Starr papers, 1833-1925, bulk (1920-1925). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122408383

Biography

Starr was born in Auburn, New York, September 2, 1858; graduated from Lafayette College in 1882, and received his Ph.D in 1885; professor of biology, Coe College, 1883-87; Curator of Ethnology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, 1889-91; professor and Dean of the Science Department, Pomona College, 1891; associate professor, University of Chicago, 1895-1923; publications related to Mexico include: Some first steps in human progress (1895), American Indians (1898), Indians of Southern Mexico (1898), Readings from modern Mexican authors (1904), and In Indian Mexico (1908); died August 14, 1933.

From the guide to the Frederick Starr collection of material relating to Mexico, 1860-1930, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)

Frederick Starr (1858-1933) was professor of anthropology at the University of Chicago from 1892 until his retirement in 1923. Starr was born in Auburn, New York, the fourth son of a Presbyterian minister. He was educated at the University of Rochester and received a Ph.D. in geology from Lafayette College in 1885. He served in various academic posts including registrar and professor of geography at Chautauqua where he became acquainted with William Rainey Harper.

In 1892, Harper asked Starr to help organize a program in anthropology at the new University of Chicago. Starr taught anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology under the leadership of Head Professor Albion W. Small. He was an active and popular lecturer throughout his tenure at the University, combining a heavy teaching load with extensive travel. He also served as curator of the Walker Museum from 1895 until retirement.

Starr's reputation was not based on his scholarship, but on a popular and controversial lecture style which did much to create an interest in the study of culture. Fay-Cooper Cole, Starr's successor at the University, praised him in the Dictionary of American Biography for "The wide interest he personally created in the subject of anthropology, and the appreciation of other peoples which he engendered in his students." Starr retired from active teaching in 1923. His students gave him a sum of money, which he used to buy a house in Seattle. Starr remained active during the last ten years of his life, making a number of trips to the Orient and lecturing throughout the western United States. He died in Tokyo of bronchial pneumonia in August 1933.

From the guide to the Starr, Frederick. Papers, 1868-1935, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)

Frederick Starr, Ph.D., was an anthropologist, college professor, writer and world traveler.

Born in Auburn, New York on September 2, 1858, Frederick Starr was the son of the Reverend Frederic and Helen Starr. He received both his Bachelor of Arts in Science and his Ph.D. degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Between 1883 and 1892, Starr taught at several colleges in the United States, and was employed for a time by the Museum of Natural History in New York City. In 1892 however, he was asked to organize the work of anthropology at the newly established University of Chicago. Thus began a thirty-one year relationship which benefited both the Department of Anthropology and Starr, who became a world-renown figure.

To further his anthropological work, Starr traveled widely. He visited various parts of the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, Korea and Africa; returning several times to the last three. His trips were often lengthy expeditions which enabled him to become totally immersed in the culture he was studying. At times his lack of communication during these sojourns resulted in his being reported "missing".

Starr wrote extensively about his travels and research. Some of his best known works are: Some Steps in Human Process (1895), American Indians (1895), Indians of Southern Mexico (1898), Philippine Studies (1909), Korean Buddhism (1918), Fujiyama, the Sacred Mountain of Japan (1924), The Truth About the Conao (1907), Congo Natives (1912) and Liberia (1913). The last three books can be found in the Library Division of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.

According to biographical sources, Starr was a colorful personality who never wore an overcoat, never used the telephone, and created controversy by introducing his students to marijuana cigarettes. He generated strong emotions at both ends of the spectrum. His "frank and fearless" expression of opinion earned him enemies. To his students however, he was a revered and beloved figure. His classes were always crowded, a fact probably attributable as much to his popularity as to the lack of any competition. Preferring to be a "Lone Star", he would not hire additional faculty for the Anthropology Department.

As an indication of their esteem, former students presented Starr with a gift of money upon his retirement in1923, sufficient enough for him to purchase a house in Seattle, Washington. The location, it is said, was selected because it was geographically closer to Japan, a country which occupied his research and travel right up to the time of his death.

Frederick Starr is credited with fostering a wide interest in the subject of anthropology, and engendering in his students the appreciation of other people and cultures. In recognition of his work he received many decorations and honors during his lifetime, including: officer of the Order of Leopold; A Chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Italy; A Member of the Order of the Sacred Treasure of Japan.

  • 1858 September 2: Born in Auburn, New York the fourth child of seven children born to the Reverend Frederick Starr and Helen Strachan Mills Starr.
  • 1882: Graduated with a BA in Science from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
  • 1885: Received Ph.D. from Lafayette College.
  • 1883 - 1887 : Taught Biology at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • 1888 - 1889 : Served as Registrar and Professor of Geography at Chautauqua University, Chautauqua, New York.
  • 1889: Employed as Curator of Ethnological Subjects at the American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York.
  • 1891: Accepted the position of Professor of Geology and Dean of the Science Department of Pomona College, Claremont, California.
  • 1892 - 1895 : Became Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
  • 1904: Traveled to northern Japan--in preparation for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis--and brought back a representative group of Ainu, an aboriginal tribe in Japan.
  • 1905: Undertook a year-long expedition to the African Congo, now known as Zaire. During the course of this trip he traveled 22,000 miles and visited 28 tribes.
  • 1907: The Truth About the Congo originally published by Forbes and Company; reprinted in 1969 by Negro University Press.
  • 1912: Traveled to Liberia to study its history, people and problems.
  • 1913: Liberia written and published by Frederick Starr, Chicago.
  • 1923: Became Professor Emeritus, retired from the faculty of the University of Chicago; moved to Seattle, Washington. While visiting Japan, survived an earthquake which destroyed Tokyo.
  • 1933 August 14: Died of bronchial pneumonia in Tokyo during another trip to Japan.

From the guide to the Frederick Starr Collection, 1906-1928, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Notes on physical measurements of Kutztown, Pennsylvania German population, 1896. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Correspondence with Henry Charles Lea, 1903. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. [Articles, book reviews, etc.]. Lafayette College
referencedIn W J McGee Papers, 1880-1916, (bulk 1885-1905) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Map of Liberia : exploration. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Gary Snyder Papers, 1910-2003;, (1945-2002 bulk) University of California, Davis. General Library. . Dept. of Special Collections
referencedIn Carter Godwin Woodson Papers, 1736-1974, (bulk 1915-1950) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Starrett, Vincent, 1886-1974. Vincent Starrett Photographs, n.d., circa 1930s. Peabody Essex Museum
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. [Anthropology]. Lafayette College
creatorOf Frederick Starr Collection, 1906-1928 Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University
referencedIn Pomeroy, Alice Wheeler. Alice Wheeler Pomeroy scrapbook, 1894-1922 (inclusive), 1894-1897 (bulk). Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Papers, 1868-1935 (inclusive), 1892-1923 (bulk). University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. [Articles, book reviews, etc.]. Lafayette College
referencedIn Yevtushenko, Yevgeny Aleksandrovich, 1933-. Papers, ca. 1920-1999, ca. 1945-1997 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Frederick Starr papers, 1833-1925, 1920-1925 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Frederick Starr papers, 1833-1925, bulk (1920-1925). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Gertrude Bass Warner lantern slides, 1904-1930 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Starr, Frederick. Mexican Manuscripts. Collection, 1580-1918 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Lange, Charles H. Charles H. Lange papers and photographs pertaining to Cochiti Pueblo, NM, 1897-1990, (bulk, 1946-1957). University of New Mexico-Main Campus
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Department of oriental review / conducted by Frederick Starr. Lafayette College
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Collection of material relating to Mexico, 1860-1930. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn 880-01 [Sutā Hakushi korekushon. Rīfuretto. Manshū, Chūgoku, Chōsen].Jiin annai. Library of Congress, RCCD CJK
creatorOf Frederick Starr collection of material relating to Mexico, 1860-1930 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
creatorOf Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. Photographic Archives. Photographs, [ca. 1860]-1987, 1890-1930 (bulk). Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Finley, John H. (John Huston), 1863-1940. John H. Finley papers, 1892-1940, bulk (1913-1935). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Culin, Stewart, 1858-1929. Culin Archival Collection : Series 2: collecting expeditions 1898-1928 1903-1928 (bulk). Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Frederick Starr collection, 1906-1928. Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. [Anthropological papers]. Lafayette College
creatorOf Starr, Frederick. Papers, 1868-1935 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Congo Free State. Lafayette College
creatorOf Connolly, Phyllis. Native Americans in Illinois collection, 1684-1970. Evanston Historical Society
creatorOf Starr, Frederick. Liberian Research Collection, 1792-1914 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
referencedIn Alice Wheeler Pomeroy scrapbook, 1894-1922, 1894-1897 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Marvin, Campbell,. Trip of Prof. Frederick Starr and Campbell Marvin, Sept. 1912 / drawn by C. Marvin. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Daniel Yankelovich Papers., 1937-1994 Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Culin, Stewart, 1858-1929. Culin Archival Collection Series 4: Objects 1891-1933. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Frederick Starr papers, 1927-circa 1930. Library of Congress
creatorOf Frederick Starr negatives and lantern slides National Museum of the American Indian (U.S.) Archive Center
referencedIn George G. Heye autograph collection, 1886-1928 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Putnam, Frederic Ward, 1839-1915. Papers, 1807-1971 (bulk: 1855-1935) Peabody Museum Archives, Harvard University
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Korean types : manuscript, [1910?]. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Letters and photograph, 1902 May 1-1908 Nov. 29. Newberry Library
referencedIn John H. Finley papers, 1892-1940, 1913-1935 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. [Miscellaneous]. Lafayette College
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Mexican papers. Lafayette College
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. [Scrap-books of clippings by and about Frederick Starr. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn George G. Heye autograph collection, 1886-1928 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. Map of Liberia : mission stations. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Starr, Frederick, 1858-1933. 880-01 [Sutā Hakushi korekushon. Ryūkyū no shashin]. Library of Congress, RCCD CJK
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Colonization Society corporateBody
associatedWith Ayer, Edward Everett, 1841-1927. person
associatedWith Boas, Franz, 1858-1942. person
associatedWith Casswell, John person
associatedWith Casswell, John. person
associatedWith Castellanos, Abraham, 1868-1918. person
associatedWith Catholic Church corporateBody
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
associatedWith Culin, Stewart, 1858-1929. person
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1868-1963. person
associatedWith Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Finley, John H. (John Huston), 1863-1940. person
correspondedWith Frederic Ward Putnam, 1813-1915 person
associatedWith Gamboa, Federico, 1864-1939. person
associatedWith George G.(George Gustav), Heye 1874-1957. person
associatedWith Harper, William Rainey, 1856-1906. person
associatedWith Heye, George G. (George Gustav), 1874-1957. person
associatedWith Holmes, John Haynes, 1879-1964. person
associatedWith Huntington Free Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Jones, Jenkin Lloyd, 1843-1918. person
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.). Class of 1882. corporateBody
associatedWith Lange, Charles H. person
associatedWith Marvin, Campbell, person
correspondedWith McGee, W J, 1853-1912 person
associatedWith Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. Photographic Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Newberry Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Ninomiya, Shigeaki person
associatedWith Ninomiya, Shigeaki. person
associatedWith Palmer, Edward, 1829-1911. person
associatedWith Pomeroy, Alice Wheeler. person
associatedWith Pomeroy, Alice Wheeler. person
associatedWith Rosenwald, Julius, 1862-1932. person
associatedWith Small, Albion Woodbury, 1854-1926. person
associatedWith Snyder, Gary person
associatedWith Starrett, Vincent, 1886-1974. person
correspondedWith Tolentino, Aurelio, 1867-1915 person
associatedWith University of Chicago corporateBody
associatedWith University of Chicago. Dept. of Anthropology corporateBody
associatedWith University of Chicago. Library. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Chicago. Library. Special Collections Research Center. corporateBody
associatedWith Warner, Gertrude Bass, 1863-1951 person
associatedWith Wells-Barnett, Ida B., 1862-1931. person
associatedWith Woodson, Carter Godwin, 1875-1950 person
associatedWith World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.) corporateBody
associatedWith Yankelovich, Daniel. person
associatedWith Yevtushenko, Yevgeny person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Pennsylvania
Mexico
Kutztown (Pa.)
United States
East Asia
Philippines--Manila
Philippines
Japan
Mexico
Liberia
Maryland County (Liberia)
East Asia
Korea
Pennsylvania--Kutztown
Orient
United States
Mexico
Illinois--Chicago
Subject
Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropometry
Catholic Church
Universities and colleges
Universities and colleges
Ethnologists
Ethnology
Ethnology
German American families
German Americans
German Americans
German Americans
Grebo (African people)
Indians of Mexico
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Koreans
Linguistics
Manuscripts, American
Manuscripts, Spanish
Pennsylvania Dutch
Photograph albums
Occupation
African American anthropologists
African American authors
African American college teachers
Anthropologists
Authors
Editors
Educators
Ethnologists
Ethnologists
Activity

Person

Birth 1858-09-02

Death 1933-08-14

Americans

English,

Spanish; Castilian,

Nahuatl languages

Information

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