Sturtevant Family Genealogy & History

Alfred Henry Sturtevant was a pioneering American geneticist known for constructing the first genetic map of a chromosome in 1911. His groundbreaking work with Drosophila melanogaster alongside Thomas Hunt Morgan led to significant advancements in genetics. Sturtevant received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Science in 1968, for his contributions to understanding genetic phenomena. His career spanned decades, during which he became a prominent figure at the California Institute of Technology, influencing future geneticists like George W. Beadle and Theodosius Dobzhansky.

Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, Alfred Sturtevant was the youngest of six children of Alfred Henry and Harriet Sturtevant. His grandfather, Julian Monson Sturtevant, was a Yale graduate and a founding professor at Illinois College, emphasizing the family's strong academic roots. After a childhood move to Alabama, Sturtevant was influenced by his brother Edgar, a linguist, which fostered his interest in research and scholarship.

Elaine Sturtevant, an influential American artist, is renowned for her innovative reproductions of iconic works by contemporaries such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns. Known professionally as Sturtevant, she challenged the concept of originality and authorship within the art world, impacting both postmodern and conceptual art. Her unique "repetitions" gained her a pivotal place in art history, leading to exhibitions at major institutions like MoMA. Keywords: Elaine Sturtevant, American artist, art reproduction, postmodern art, MoMA, Andy Warhol, originality, conceptual art.

William Curtis Sturtevant was a distinguished anthropologist and ethnologist, celebrated for his role as the general editor of the comprehensive "Handbook of North American Indians." His pioneering work in Native American languages and cultures, especially the Florida Seminole, earned him recognition in the field. Sturtevant contributed significantly to anthropology as the president of various esteemed societies, including the American Society for Ethnohistory, the American Ethnological Society, and the American Anthropological Association. His academic journey saw him graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, and Yale University, where he studied under Floyd Lounsbury.

Sturtevant was the eldest son of notable geneticist Alfred Sturtevant and had a sister, Harriet S. Shapiro. He was first married to Theda Maw, with whom he had three children, and later to linguist Sally McLendon.

Edward Lewis Sturtevant (1842–1898) was a pioneering American agronomist and botanist renowned for his work on edible plants and agricultural science. He co-founded Waushakum Farm, leading agricultural experiments and publishing significant works, including "Varieties of Corn," a landmark study. As the first director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, he prioritized research over commercial farming. Sturtevant was also a prolific writer, contributing to numerous agricultural publications and amassing an extensive botanical library, which was later donated to the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Edward Lewis Sturtevant was the son of Lewis W. Sturtevant, from a Puritan ancestry, and Mary Haight (Legett) Sturtevant. After the early death of his parents, he was raised by an aunt. He is a distant cousin of geneticist Alfred Henry Sturtevant, sharing a common ancestor, Samuel Sturtevant, who emigrated from England to America in the 1640s.