15 Facts About Froelich Rainey

Froelich Gladstone Rainey was an American anthropologist and Director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology from 1947 to 1977.

Froelich Rainey began his career in education teaching English in the Philippines, his destination after searching for opportunities after the onset of the Great Depression.

Froelich Rainey taught at the University of Alaska, specializing in Alaskan prehistory.

Later Froelich Rainey worked as an archaeologist at the University of Pennsylvania, eventually becoming Director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, serving from 1947 to 1977.

Froelich Rainey's directorship saw Museum scholars explore the globe on more than two hundred trips, including excursions to Thailand, Guatemala, and Greece.

Parallel to his desire to expand the international research agenda at the museum, Froelich Rainey was interested in how archaeological excavations overseas might advance the post-World War II development and foreign policy agendas of the United States government.

Further, Froelich Rainey was approached by the US State Department to embed members of the CIA in to these excavations in order for them to collect intelligence for the United States.

Froelich Rainey sought to break down the wall between museum and patron, utilizing the rise of television's popularity to expand the museum's educational reach.

Froelich Rainey's work spanned four continents, but it is his early work in Arctic Alaska which is regarded as his most significant.

Geist had collected specimens from all across the island and Froelich Rainey began his study by sorting and labeling the specimens.

In 1939 Froelich Rainey joined forces with Helge Larsen on an expedition to Point Hope, Alaska, a place where in 1920 Knud Rasmussen found what he "thought to be the most interesting site in the American Arctic".

Froelich Rainey sought to better understand his and Larsen's findings and returned in 1940 with his wife and daughter for further explorations.

Froelich Rainey participated in the writing of various works that were published and had a large impact on the field of anthropology.

On Sunday, October 11,1992, Froelich Rainey died from cancer at age 85 in Cornwall, England.

Froelich Rainey founded the museum's publication, Expedition magazine, and was a central force in how museums worldwide understood their own purpose and mission.