Alfred Kroeber: A Personal Configuration

The Handbook of the Indians of California, written by Alfred Kroeber between 1916 and 1917, is the defining work by which he is widely recognized. Known beyond academic circles, the Handbook remains a primary reference for many on California's Indigenous cultures. Kroeber embraced this association with his work, considering it the "first fruits" of his career and a testament to his early fieldwork. His later explorations into broader theoretical concepts were deeply rooted in these experiences with the living cultures of Native Americans, which began on his early field trips to Wyoming and Oklahoma, and ultimately California, where he made his lifelong home.

Kroeber's westward journey marked a turning point, setting him apart from his East Coast roots. Arriving in California in 1900, he immersed himself in fieldwork, traversing the state to study Native American communities in rural areas. Known as the serious young anthropologist with his black beard and pockets full of tools and treats, he quickly became a respected figure among the Indigenous tribes he worked with, particularly the Yurok of northern California's Klamath River and the Mohave of the Colorado River. His interest lay in California's landscapes--the rivers, bays, and coastline--which paralleled the natural surroundings of the Indigenous cultures he studied, reflecting his deep connection to the Pacific and its waterways.

Despite the powerful draw of the West, Kroeber's formative years were shaped in New York, amidst the waterways surrounding Manhattan. He grew up in a close-knit family, with friendships that spanned his life despite geographic separation. This early foundation influenced his work and perspective, anchoring him in both his professional discipline and personal relationships. His early life on the East Coast contrasts with his later dedication to California's Indigenous cultures, highlighting the unique, dual influence of these landscapes on his approach to anthropology and his lifelong commitment to understanding and documenting the rich cultural heritage of Native American communities.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1970.