William Fitzhugh
Director, Arctic Studies Center & Curator, Department of Anthropology
Image of William Fitzhugh
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution | 1970 – Present
Leadership & Curation: Directed the Arctic Studies Center and managed the museum's arctic collections for over 40 years, serving two terms as Chairman of the Department of Anthropology (1975–1980; 2002–2005).
Archaeological Research: Conducted extensive archaeological and environmental research focusing on the prehistory, paleoecology, and evolution of maritime adaptations of northeastern North America and circumpolar cultures.
Exhibition Production: Curated and produced five major international exhibitions, including Inua: Spirit World of the Bering Sea Eskimos, Crossroads of Continents, and Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga.
Media & Public Education: Produced multiple educational films and documentaries, including NOVA specials such as “Mysteries of the Lost Red Paint People” and “Norse America.”
Advisory Roles: Represented the Smithsonian and arctic social science in various government councils, serving as an Advisor to the Arctic Research Commission and on the Smithsonian Science Commission.
Publications: Authored and published extensive research on arctic peoples, cross-cultural studies, and Native-European contact across northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Scandinavia, and Mongolia.
EDUCATION & MILITARY SERVICE
Ph.D. in Anthropology, Harvard University (1970)
Anthropological Studies, Dartmouth College
Veteran, United States Navy (Served 2 years)
Radiocarbon dating and cultural dynamics across Mongolia’s early pastoral transition
Archaeology of Bronze Age Mongolia
A Deer Stone Diary
