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Akeley, Carl Ethan, 1864-1926

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1864-05-19 - 1926-11-17

Summary

Abstract:

Carl Ethan Akeley (born May 19, 1864, Clarendon, New York— died November 17, 1926, Belgian Congo, Africa), taxidermist, sculptor, inventor, explorer, and naturalist, who led five expeditions to Africa, three of which for the Museum of Natural History where he gathered specimens for his African Hall Exhibition. He is the author of the book In Brightest Africa.

Chronology:
1876
Mounted first bird at approximately 12 years old (1), Clarendon, NY
1877
13 years old. Borrowed a book on taxidermy and took painting lessons in Holley to make backgrounds (1), Clarendon, NY
1882-1883
Began apprenticeship at Ward's Natural Science Establishment, Rochester, NY
1883
Intermission from Ward's where he worked for six months in the shop of John Wallace in New York City (1), New York
1884-01
Returned to Ward’s Natural Science Establishment where he remained for three years (1), Rochester, NY
1886-11-08
Arrived in Milwaukee and worked for Milwaukee museum (1), Milwaukee, WI

Topics

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Carl Ethan Akeley photographs, circa 1920s

 Collection
Identifier: PPC .A4251
Scope and Contents

Two portraits of Akeley and two photographs of flamingos in Africa.

Dates: circa 1920s

Carl Ethan Akeley portrait

 Collection
Identifier: PPC .A4252
Scope and Contents

Wrapped package containing portrait of Carl Akeley.

Dates: undated

Mary Jobe Akeley photographs

 Collection
Identifier: PPC .A426
Scope and Contents

Field photographs taken by Mary Jobe and Carl Akeley which include the Akeley-Eastman-Pomeroy and other African expeditions, portraitures, and American Museum of Natural History lab views of Carl Akeley's taxidermy.

Dates: 1896-1930s

Stereographs of African landscapes, people and culture

 Collection
Identifier: PPC .A382
Scope and Content note This is an unidentified collection of stereographs, the majority of them undated, of African landscape, villages, towns and people. The countries represented are Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda. Among the African peoples mentioned are the Buganda, Wanderobo, Kikuya, Taita, Masai, Lumbwa and Nandi.Most of the cards are labeled on the verso in the same hand. They are unsigned but identified by the initials V.S.K. A number of the cards describe interactions...
Dates: 1905-1911

Vernon Shaw Kennedy collection of stereographs, photographs, and papers

 Collection
Identifier: PPC .K4
Scope and Contents

Collection consists mostly of stereographs taken on an expedition to British East Africa, 1905-1907. One stereograph is of Carl Akeley. Also includes 3 photographs of animals possibly taken at London Zoo. Other materials include two field notebooks, typescript and handwritten documents on the Aurora Borealis, clipping regarding the death of Captain Johansen and a book review to AMNH, Specal Collections.

Dates: 1900-1930; Majority of material found within 1905-1907