Llewellyn L. Loud is an iconic figure in California and
Great Basin anthropology, a man who made significant
contributions to the field but whose path was as unique as
he was. He made his way from Maine to U.C. Berkeley,
and after holding a number of positions, including as
guard and janitor, worked as a senior preparator and
then went on to excavate some of the most important
archaeological sites in the region. As described by
his supervisor A. L. Kroeber, Loud was a singular
individualósolitary, stubborn, independent, and loyaló
as well as being a humanist and open socialist at a
time when such beliefs were far from mainstream. Six
newly discovered studio photographs recently found at
Washington State University are revealing of Loudís
unique character. The details of this coincidental
discovery are discussed here, along with relevant
background information about Loud and early twentiethcentury
studio portraiture.