Frederic Ward Putnam / by Professor Franz Boas.

  • Franz Boas
Date:
[1915]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Frederic Ward Putnam / by Professor Franz Boas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    versities. Men who have grown up as his stu¬ dents are now found in many American and Canadian institutions. Professor Putnam’s activities were not by any means confined to the field of his own re¬ searches, but he took a lively interest in the advancement of scientific work in the whole country. This quality, his genius as an or¬ ganizer, and his sympathetic nature brought him into prominence in the work of the Amer¬ ican Association for the Advancement of Sci¬ ence, of which he was for many years perma¬ nent secretary and which he made a most effi¬ cient means of promoting and extending the influence of science. It is a well-marked period of scientific development that his in¬ cumbency of the secretaryship represents: the extensive and gradual deepening of scientific interest. It covers the period preparatory to the specialization of more modern times that makes the American Association more an ad¬ ministrative clearing house of special scientific bodies than an agency that promotes popular interest and that gives to the young scientist the opportunity to gain his first laurels. Por several years Professor Putnam had been ailing, but his robust nature withstood vigorously the attacks of an insidious disease. On the occasion of his seventieth birthday his many friends gave expression to their warm feelings towards him by the publication of an anniversary volume containing contributions from almost all American anthropologists. His influence, that of a sane and sober scien¬ tist who values facts higher than fancies will be lasting, and we honor and love one who has helped to lay the foundations on which we are permitted to build. Franz Boas Columbia University
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