Kroeber, Alfred Louis (1876–1960)

US anthropologist. His extensive research into and analysis of the culture of California, Plains, Mexican, and South American Indians dramatically broadened the scope of anthropological studies. His textbook Anthropology 1923 remains a classic and influential work.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, Kroeber was the first student of Franz Boas to receive a PhD from Columbia University 1901. After establishing a department of anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley, he led archaeological expeditions to New Mexico beginning 1915.

In 1917 he became president of the American Anthropological Association, a group he helped found. At Berkeley, Kroeber served as professor 1919–46 and anthropology museum director 1925–46.