Alvin R. Cahn papers

Collection — Container: Box 1

Identifier: ANSP-Coll-0985

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Alvin R. Cahn papers house materials related to two of Cahn’s publications. This collection, which dates from around 1935 but is mostly undated, is arranged alphabetically. The two works documented in this collection are “Up from the sea” and “Wilderness canoe camping.” Both works display Cahn’s knowledge of the subject of fishing, and act as practical guides for those interested in the subject. “Wilderness canoe camping” also discusses how to pack for a canoe trip, menu suggestions, and knot-tying tutorials. Included are typescripts, drafts, and plates for the two works, with the plates holding either photographs or illustrations. This collection would be valuable to researchers interested in fishing or Alvin R. Cahn, although the materials do not provide much biographical materials beyond Cahn’s clear passion for the subject.

Dates

1935, undated

Creator

Cahn, Alvin Robert (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Archives with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.

Biographical / Historical

Alvin Robert Cahn was a professional biologist who studied a wide variety of biological subjects. Early in his career, he taught at the University of Illinois for 17 years. During World War II he was stationed at Dutch Harbor in Alaska from 1942 to 1945, where he investigated archaeological sites of Aleutian culture on Amaknak Island, along with local zoological species. This work led to collections which were sent to the Field Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History. After the war ended, Cahn was brought over to Japan by General MacArthur to assist in the rehabilitation of the Japanese fishing industry. While stationed in Japan, Cahn acquired an impressive collection of Japanese shells, which he subsequently donated to the Malacology Department at the Academy of Natural Sciences. He also found a new calling as manager of the boxer Yoshio Shirai, who became Japan’s first world champion in May 1952 under Cahn’s supervision.

Sources:

McCartney, A. P.. (1998). Alvin R. Cahn: World War II Aleutian Archaeologist. Arctic Anthropology, 35(2), 136–146. http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/31/local/me-shirai31

ANSP.Coll.804 Box 15 Folder 19, Alvin R. Cahn correspondence with R. Tucker Abbott