Fred B. Kniffen

Fred B. Kniffen
Fred B. Kniffen circa 1955. Image from: Gritzner (1994).
Born	Fred Bowerman Kniffen (1900-01-18)January 18, 1900 Britton, Michigan
Died	May 19, 1993(1993-05-19) (aged 93) Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Nationality	American
Fields	Geography, Anthropology, Geology
Institutions	University of Michigan, University of California, Berkeley, Louisiana State University
Education	University of Michigan (B.A.) University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D.)
Doctoral advisor	Carl O. Sauer, Alfred L. Kroeber
Children	4 (3 sons, 1 daughter)

Fred Bowerman Kniffen (January 18, 1900 – May 19, 1993) was an American Geographer and distinguished professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Louisiana State University for over 64 years. Kniffen had a background in Anthropology, Geography, and Geology when he arrived at Louisiana State University in the late 1920s. While there, he made great strides in the Department of Geography and Anthropology that led to the development of new research areas, additional courses, and well trained graduate students. Kniffen stressed the importance of learning and understanding the History of Geography, along with blending Physical Geography and Anthropology with Cultural Geography. During Kniffen's time at Louisiana State University, he was an advocate for interdisciplinary research. Kniffen became a distinguished professor in the department in 1966, later becoming Boyd professor in 1967.

Kniffen was born in Britton, Michigan, on January 18, 1900. Most of his ancestors were of English descent. Kniffen's father had many jobs while he was growing up, some of which included a Lumberjack and a Brickmaker. His mother was a school teacher who encouraged him to excel in his studies and instilled in him a passion for learning. When Kniffen was six years old, his family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas. There, he excelled in school and was able to skip a grade. The family then moved to Superior, Wisconsin after Kniffen's first year of high school. Once he completed high school, Kniffen enlisted in the army. Once out of service, Kniffen enrolled at the Superior State Normal School (SSNS), where he earned college credits for three semesters. While taking courses at the SSNS, Kniffen had a strong desire to earn a university degree. He ultimately ended up transferring to The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kniffen graduated with an Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Geology in 1922. After graduation, he bounced around from job to job, some of which included a pipe-fitter and a store keeper. Kniffen developed an interest in Geography (especially the human aspect) during his undergraduate years at The University of Michigan as a result of long conversations with Carl O. Sauer. Therefore, he enrolled at the The University of California, Berkeley to study Geography and Anthropology under Carl O. Sauer and Alfred L. Kroeber. Kniffen's doctoral research focused on the Colorado River Delta's cultural and natural landscape. Kniffen graduated with his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 1929.