Richard B. Seager papers

Richard Berry Seager was born to wealthy parent in Lansing, Michigan in 1882. He attended Harvard University for one semester before illnese forced him to drop out. Looking to retore his health, Seager traveled to West Germany to experience healing at Bad Neuheim. Refreshed, Seager continued his studies of the classics and archaeology in Athens and Italy.

Seager's first expedition experience was as photographer for Harriet Boyd Hawes' expedition to Kavusi and Gournia on Crete. At the same time, Hawes dug at a prehistoric site in Kephala of Vasilike. While working there, Seager discovered 100 whole specimens of pottery that were previously unknown in the Aegean.

Other important discoveries of Minoan pottery occurred at Seager's next site, Pseira. These included examples of early Minoan, Minoan II-III, middle Minoan I and III and late Minoan. Among the finds were 100 stone vases and lamps and fragments of a painted stucco relief. In 1912, Seager published through the American School of Classical Studies.

Seager's last venture lasted two months at the cemetery in Pachyammos which yielded early to late Minoan bowls.

At the outbreak of World War I, Seager volunteered for the Red Cross.

Seager's collections were donated to several museums, among them the University Museum, the New York Metropolitan Museum, the Heraldion and The British Museum.

Richard Berry Seager was born to wealthy parent in Lansing, Michigan in 1882. he attended Harvard University for one semester before illnese forced him to drop out.Looking to retore his health, Seager traveled to West Germany to experience healing at Bad Neuheim. Refreshed by his time at Bad Neuheim, Seager continued his studies of the classic and archaeology in Athens and Italy.

The Richard B. Seager papers consist of three folders of correspondence. Seager wrote often and extensively to Edith Hall, whom he met while working under Harriet Boyd Hawes on Crete. There is one file of his letters.

Two folders contain letters to museum director George Byron Gordon with news of his discoveries, financial concerns and museum business.

Publication Information: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives,

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• Dohan, Edith Hall
• Gordon, G. B. (George Byron)
• Seager, Richard B.