Born: 1906 (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Biography:
Frederica (Freddy) Annis Lopez de Leo de Laguna was a prominent American ethnologist, anthropologist, and archaeologist who made significant contributions to the field of anthropology, particularly in the study of Paleoindian and Alaska Native art and archaeology in the American northwest and Alaska. Born on October 3, 1906, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she was the daughter of Theodore Lopez de Leo de Laguna and Grace Mead (Andrus) de Laguna, both philosophy professors at Bryn Mawr College.
De Laguna’s early education was largely guided by her parents, as she was home-schooled until the age of nine due to frequent illness. She embarked on two sabbaticals with her family during her childhood, spending time in Cambridge and Oxford, England in 1914-1915, and France in 1921-1922. These experiences exposed her to different cultures and environments, igniting her curiosity about the world around her.
In 1923, De Laguna enrolled at Bryn Mawr College, where she received a scholarship and pursued a degree in politics and economics. While she was awarded the college’s European fellowship, she decided to defer for a year to study anthropology at Columbia University under the tutelage of renowned anthropologists Franz Boas, Gladys Reichard, and Ruth Benedict. This decision proved to be pivotal for De Laguna’s career, as it solidified her passion for anthropology.
In 1928, De Laguna embarked on a journey to England, France, and Spain, where she gained invaluable fieldwork experience under the guidance of notable anthropologists such as George Grant MacCurdy, Abbe Breuil, Paul Rivet, and Marcellin Boule. This exposure to diverse perspectives and methodologies deepened her understanding of the discipline and shaped her future endeavors.
De Laguna’s true breakthrough came in 1929 when she joined Therkel Mathiassen as his assistant on Greenland’s first scientific archaeological excavation. Spending six months in Greenland, the excavation provided her with hands-on experience and further cemented her commitment to anthropology. Her experiences during this expedition later formed the basis of her book, Voyage to Greenland: A Personal Initiation into Anthropology.
In 1933, De Laguna obtained her Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia University, marking the beginning of her distinguished career. Her first funded expedition took her to Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, Alaska in 1930. Originally planned as an assistant to Kaj Birket-Smith, De Laguna took charge when he fell ill, securing funding from the University of Pennsylvania Museum. She enlisted the help of her brother, Wallace, a geologist, and together they conducted groundbreaking research in the region.
De Laguna’s contributions to anthropology were wide-ranging and impactful. She founded and chaired the anthropology department at Bryn Mawr College from 1938 to 1972, playing a crucial role in shaping the field. Her work focused on unraveling the mysteries of ancient civilizations and understanding the cultural practices of Alaska Native communities. Her groundbreaking research shed light on the intricacies of Paleoindian cultures and their contributions to the development of artistic expression in the region.
In addition to her academic achievements, De Laguna also held several leadership positions in esteemed organizations. She served as the vice-president of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) from 1949 to 1950 and as the president of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) from 1966 to 1967. These positions allowed her to advocate for the importance of anthropology and promote the study of indigenous cultures.
Throughout her career, De Laguna received numerous honors and awards. In 1972, she was recognized with Bryn Mawr College’s Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 1975, she made history as the first woman, alongside her former classmate Margaret Mead, to be elected into the National Academy of Sciences. The American Anthropological Association bestowed upon her the Distinguished Service Award in 1986. In 1996, the people of Yakutat honored her with a potlatch, a traditional native ceremony, and in 1999, she was awarded the Lucy Wharton Drexel Medal from the University of Pennsylvania.
Frederica de Laguna’s remarkable contributions to anthropology, her dedication to teaching, and her influential research have left an indelible impact on the field. Her work not only advanced our understanding of ancient cultures but also paved the way for future generations of anthropologists to continue her legacy of discovery and cultural preservation. She remains a revered figure in the history of women in academia and a role model for aspiring female scholars.