Frederica de Laguna of Bryn Mawr College

Abstract

Most readers of Arctic Anthropology know a great deal about Frederica de Laguna’s contributions to the many branches of anthropology, but fewer know much about her life-long relationship with Bryn Mawr College. Bryn Mawr was, in turn, her home, school, college, editor, employer, base of operations, source of dismay, source of pride, and much more. Certainly, Bryn Mawr was formative to Freddy’s scholarship and personal growth; the college continued as a major presence throughout her career as an internationally known anthropologist. It is important, therefore, to gain a picture of Freddy’s life at Bryn Mawr in order to gain a sense of her as a person and her formation as an anthropologist.