New Zealand social anthropologist, born in Coromandel in 1903 to Peter and Hettie Fortune. Eldest son in a family which included two brothers, Howard and Barter, and one sister, Evelyn. Educated at Palmerston North Boys High School 1917-1919, Victoria University College 1921-1926 where he gained a Master's Degree in Mental and Moral Philosopy (thesis entitled `The Psychology of dreams'). Received a Travelling Research Scholarship in 1926 and studied at Cambridge University gaining a Diploma in Anthropology in 1927. First field trip to New Guinea in 1927; took up fellowship at Columbia University, New York, in 1929, gained his Doctorate in 1931. Studied Omaha Indian secret societies. Returned to Papua New Guinea in 1935. Assistant Professor at Lingnam University, Canton, China, 1937. In 1938 worked amoung the Yao in South China. At Toledo, Ohio in 1940 and at University of Toronto in 1942. Enlisted in Canadian Army. Returned to Toronto in 1946, and then to Burma where he worked as a Government Anthropologist in the Chin Hills and Shan Sataes. Gained lectureship at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, England in 1947. Field trips to Papua New Guinea 1951-1952, 1959 and 1970-1971. Retired in 1970 and studied mathematics. Noted for his work on prime numbers. Married to Margaret Mead (8 Oct 1928, in Auckland) 1928-1935, and Eileen Pope from 1937. Published `Mind in Sleep' in 1927, `Sorcerers of Dobu' and `Omaha Secret Societies' in 1932, `Manus religion' in 1935 and `Arapesh' in 1942. Nancy McDowell published `Mundugumor: from the field notes of Margaret Mead and Reo Fortune' in 1991
Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Early and personal life, correspondence etc
Date: 1907-1940
From: Australian Joint Copying Project : Miscellaneous Series microfilm
Reference: Micro-MS-Coll-20-2729
Description: Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).
Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979 : Maps from papers
Date: 1890 - 1954
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: MapColl-Collection-Fortune
Description: Manuscript map of flying routes in Papua, undated. The other maps are published and many have been removed from publications and show explorations and surveys of parts of Papua and New Guinea from 1890 to 1954. None are annotated. Includes a map of Melanesia from 1911. Arrangement: Items not individually catalogued Quantity: 1 manuscript map(s). 21 map(s) published maps. Physical Description: Hand-drawn works on paper; lithographs Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979. Papers. MS-Group-0923.
Photographs relating to people on the Island of Dobu.
Date: 1928
From: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979: Photographs relating to Reo and Eileen Fortune
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: PAColl-8563-01
Description: Photographs of the life and culture of the inhabitants of Dobu Island, Papua New Guinea. Recorded are such things as men fishing with nets and spears, mourning the dead, preparing leaves, women and children bringing yams from the gardens in baskets carried on their heads, men rowing canoes, and clothing. Arrangement: Original negatives at 1/2-230268-F to 1/2-230299-F, and 1/4-110536-F. Reo Fortune spent a month on Dobu island in 1928. Quantity: 48 b&w original photographic print(s).
Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979 : Photographs of Fortune family and Margaret Mead
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: PAColl-4856
Description: Negative shows Peter Fortune and Margaret Mead, print shows Reo Fortune's parents and Margaret Mead Arrangement: Negative catalogued at 1/2-177582-F Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). 1 b&w original photographic print(s).
Hands, Alfred Watson, 1849-1927 :[Buddhist monk standing in a doorway, Sri Lanka, 1887].
Date: 1887
By: Hands, Alfred Watson (Rev), 1849-1927; Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: A-254-057
Description: Shows a monk standing on the threshhold of a carved doorway Hands visited Sri Lanka in 1887 on a voyage aboard S. S. Carthage Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, 259 x 159 mm on board 382 x 276 mm Provenance: Donation: Mr Reo Fortune. Transfers: Transferred from Reo Fortune papers, (MSS acc. 80-323) in October 1986.
Hands, Alfred Watson, 1849-1927 :[Buddhist monk with fan and reed book. 1887].
Date: 1887
By: Hands, Alfred Watson (Rev), 1849-1927; Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: A-254-056
Description: Shows a monk seated with a palm-leaf-shaped fan in his left hand and holding the pages of a reed book (or palm-leaf manuscript) open on his lap, with his right hand. Hands visited Sri Lanka in 1887 on a voyage aboard S. S. Carthage Other Titles - Palm-leaf manuscript Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, 358 x 176 mm Transfers: Transferred from Reo Fortune papers, (MSS acc. 80-323) in October 1986.
Echenique, M, fl 1950s :House at Girton for Dr & Mrs R Fortune, Cambridge. [1950s?]
Date: 1947 - 1960
By: Echenique, M, active 1950s
Reference: Plans-2005-081
Description: Includes ground floor plan and details of joinery and wall filling. Quantity: 1 plan(s). Physical Description: Diazo print, 595 x 840 mm. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-0923. - Material from the same provenance house at MS-Group-0923..
Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979: Photographs relating to Reo and Eileen Fortune
Date: [ca 1875]-1971
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: PA-Group-00254
Description: The collection falls into two parts: 1. Anthropological photographs taken by Reo Fortune in the late 1920s-1930s. 170 of the negatives date from this time. Associated with these are 2 groups of photographs relating to his return visits to Dobu in 1959 and 1970-1971. There are also some negatives and prints, originally filed with Fortune's research papers on the New Guinea Highlands, which covered two trips spanning 1930s to 1950s. Some of the prints have corresponding negatives. Images are likely to be of local people and scenes in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, particularly in Kamano, taken by Fortune, circa 1930s-1950s. Also includes four portraits of Fortune taken circa 1940s and 1950s and 1970 or 1971. 2. Family photographs. The smaller groups of these relate to Reo Fortune and his family and there are two images of his first wife, the anthropologist Margaret Mead, with his parents. The larger group of family photographs relate to his second wife, Eileen Pope before her marriage to Fortune, and then to their life together in China, North America, and Cambridge, England. Title supplied by Library Arrangement: Negatives at 1/2-230268-F to 1/2-230548-F. 1/4-110420-F to 1/4-110544-F. 35mm-81098 to 35mm-81188. 35mm-102680 to 35mm-102758. Quantity: 518 b&w original negative(s) 56 of which are 35mm negatives comprising 85 images. 170 colour original negative(s) 45 of which are 35mm negatives comprising 125 images. 1703 b&w original photographic print(s). 134 colour original photographic print(s). 4 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - From MS-Group-0923 Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979.. Processing information: Archivists notes - Originally arranged and described in 2005. Reference number changed from PAColl-8563 to PA-Group-00254 in 2008.
Hands, Alfred Watson, 1849-1927 :Kadarasian Korwin, Columbo, Ceylon. [1887]
Date: 1887
By: Hands, Alfred Watson (Rev), 1849-1927; Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: A-254-054
Description: A street scene in Colombo with two elaborately decorated buildings, other smaller buildings, bullocks drawing carts, people in the street Other Titles - Colombo, Sri Lanka Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour, 250 x 345 mm on board 307 x 402 mm Transfers: Transferred from Reo Fortune papers, (MSS acc. 80-323) in October 1986.
Notes on expatriates - NZ Encyclopaedia Volume 2
Date: 1960-1964
From: New Zealand Government Printer. Encyclopaedia Section : Notes on expatriates
Reference: qMS-1474
Description: Entries 408-775. Includes entry for Reo Fortune (pgs 640-641, 773) Quantity: 1 volume(s). Finding Aids: Index available at qMS-1475.
Correspondence (Fi-Fu)
Date: 1920-1932
From: Alexander Turnbull Library (Wellington) : Correspondence files
Reference: MS-Papers-0181-035
Description: Names of selected correspondents entered in Name Field. Others are: George S Fisher, NSW, 1931; W N Fitz Henry (The Bulletin Newspaper Co Ltd), Sydney, 1925; Freda Fletcher, 1923; Field Fletcher, Wanganui, 1922; Herbert H Price, 1922; william Fogarty, 1922; Secretary, The Folk-Lore Society, 1921; Arthur R Ford, Napier, 1927; Forestry Department; Major L C Forgie, Secretary, Canteen & Regimental Trust Board, Wellington, 1928; Fanny Foster, 1925; H L Fowler, Nelson College, 1921; Arthur R Ford, Napier, 1927; R Francis, Napier, 1926l W M Fraser, Whangarei, 1931; Fed E Freeman, 1920; R Freeman, Palmerston North, 1926; W Freeman, 1923; Mrs French (granddaughter of Bishop Monrad), 1928; Herbert O Frind, 1928; E H Frost, New York, 1932; Colonel T W M Fuge, London, 1927; G Fuller, 1926 Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Anthropological lantern slides and portraits taken by Reo Fortune
Date: [circa 1913-1954], [between 1928-1959]
From: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979: Photographs relating to Reo and Eileen Fortune
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: PAColl-5372
Description: The portrait prints are of Europeans taken circa 1913-1954, three being of a Mrs Hands. The lantern slides are scenes and portraits taken in Papua New Guinea, comprising photographs of Dobu Island, Tewera Island, Manus Island, and the Arapesh people, taken between 1928-1959. Quantity: 8 b&w original photographic print(s). 92 b&w original transparency/ies (lantern slides).
Photographs of Reo Fortune and Margaret Mead
Date: 1928-1963
From: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979: Photographs relating to Reo and Eileen Fortune
Reference: PAColl-1433
Description: Portait of Reo Fortune and photographs of Margaret Mead with Fortune's mother Hetty, and father Peter, in 1928. Two other photographs are of Mead and her daughter Catherine Bateson in 1959, and Mead in a party of tourists visiting ruins in 1963. Arrangement: Copy negatives are at 1/2-116636-F to 1/2-116641-F, and 1/2-116647-F. Original negatives of Mead with Fortune's parents at 1/2-230547-F and 1/2-230548-F. Quantity: 7 b&w copy photographic print(s).
Various artists :[Nine sketches. 1930s?]
Date: 1930 - 1950
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: A-375-004/012
Description: Includes four dockside or shipboard scenes, one scene in a tropical village, one drawing of a seated statue (dated 7.6.'33), and one head and shoulders portrait of a peasant woman in a headscarf (signed R Sotron). Quantity: 3 watercolour(s). 6 drawing(s). Physical Description: Watercolour conte and pencil drawings, sizes varying up to 310 x 250 mm. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-0923. - Material from the same provenance house at MS-Group-0923..
Index to notes on expatriates
Date: 1960-1964
From: New Zealand Government Printer. Encyclopaedia Section : Notes on expatriates
Reference: qMS-1475
Description: Index to qMS-1473-1474. Includes indexed name for Reo Fortune (pg 9) Quantity: 1 volume(s).
Outward correspondence
Date: [ca 1935]-1939
From: Challis, Derek Arden, 1930-2021: Papers relating to Robin Hyde
Reference: MS-Papers-9110-211
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss (some photocopies), typescripts
[Artist unknown] :[Tree study. ca 1950].
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: A-006-039
Description: A deciduous tree in a landscape Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: 1 painting mounted on card; watercolour 245 x 170 mm, on card 330 x 230 mm Transfers: Transferred from Reo Fortune papers (MS acc. 80-323) with A-254-053/057 and B-041/045, 1986..
Research files E-L
Date: 1927-1980
From: Bagnall, Austin Graham, 1912-1986 : Papers
Reference: 2010-184-03
Description: Box contains 12 folders of research and subject files. Includes a literary work by Clarence E Palmer `Elephants in America' (undated), environmental reports, exhibition ephemera, historic workshop notes (1985) and selected newsletters from the New Zealand Historical Association. Also includes a folder of material relating to Reo Fortune which includes correspondence with Barter Fortune and Fortune family personal papers; and a typescript copy of Robert Langdon's journal kept at Ngapopatu in the Wairarapa where Langdon farmed. Gives day-by-day account of sheepfarming and rural life. Folder has Langdon correspondence and assorted research material. Quantity: 1 box(es). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed material
[Four small pottery fragments, formerly belonging to Dr Reo Fortune. 1900s?]
Date: 1900 - 1950
By: Fortune, Reo Franklin, 1903-1979
Reference: Curios-017-011
Description: Pottery fragments; possibly from Reo Fortune's anthropological travels. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Four bronze-terracotta fragments, rough-surfaced, with cream/yellow glaze on two of them; sizes vary up to 45 x 30 mm. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - Ms-Group-023. - Material from the same provenance house at MS-Group-0923..
New Guinea papers
Date: 1915-1934
From: Australian Joint Copying Project : Miscellaneous Series microfilm
Reference: Micro-MS-Coll-20-2746
Description: Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).