author
David P. Barrows
1873–1954
An anthropologist, educator, and public figure of the early 20th century, he moved between academic life, government service, and military leadership with unusual range. His work is especially tied to the Philippines and to the University of California, where he later served as president.
2 Audiobooks
A History of the Philippines
by David P. Barrows
About the author
Born in Chicago on June 27, 1873, and raised in California, David Prescott Barrows developed an early interest in Native American communities and went on to study at Pomona College, the University of California, Columbia, and the University of Chicago. He built a career as an anthropologist and educator, and his writing reflected a wide curiosity about history, politics, and culture.
Barrows became closely involved with American administration in the Philippines, where he worked in education and government during the early years of U.S. colonial rule. He also wrote about the country, and his books helped shape how many English-language readers encountered Philippine history in that era.
Back in the United States, he served as president of the University of California from 1919 to 1923 and remained a prominent academic and public servant. His life also included military service, adding another dimension to a career that stretched across scholarship, administration, and public affairs before his death on September 5, 1954.