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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 14 Collections and/or Records:

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
Found in: Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library / Stereographs of African landscapes, people and culture

Stung / Base "Carl E. Akeley"

 Item
Identifier: Art Survey No. 870
Scope and Contents

Elephant with snake around right fore-leg. Black base. Inscription: On base "Stung."

Dates: undated
Found in: Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library / Stung / Base "Carl E. Akeley"

The Old Man of Mikeno / On base mid "Carl Akeley sc."

 Item
Identifier: Art Survey No. 600
Scope and Contents

Head and shoulders of gorilla. Inscription: On base "The Old Man of Mikeno/Carl Akeley sc./(c) 1923" Rear of base "Kunst Foundry. N.Y."

Dates: 1923
Found in: Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library / The Old Man of Mikeno / On base mid "Carl Akeley sc."

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
Found in: Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library / Vernon Shaw Kennedy collection of stereographs, photographs, and papers
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History
Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library
200 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024-5192

Gottesman Research Library

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