This paper discusses a part of my study of Edward Sylvester
Morse. An examination of the processes of the establishment of
the Peabody Academy of Science, which later became the
Peabody Museum of Salem, is the main topic.
Some biographical descriptions about Morse and his friends
on the Foundation of Peabody Academy of Science show, in part,
how the Academy was established. The entire processes have
never been described, either in America or Japan. In this paper
I attempt to describe the complete story of the foundation of
the Peabody Academy of Science, and Morse's role in that process.
Edward Sylvester Morse, who participated in the foundation
of the Academy, spent most of his life as a researcher working for
the museum, except for the period when he was away from Salem.
After his death, a large collection of ethnological materials,
"The Morse Collection", was left to the museum. Most of the
collection is related to Japan.
However, since it was assembled and taken to the Academy
in the 1880's, later than the period of concern to this paper, it is
not discussed here.