Sir Peter Buck, whose mother was Maori, brought the ancient learning of Polynesia to his roles as a historian, scientist, professor at Yale and director of the Bishop Museum.
Buck was born in 1880 in the village of Urenui, New Zealand, and named Te Rangi Hiroa. After Buck's mother died, his grandmother, Kapua Kore, reared him in the Maori culture. He attended medical college and was appointed medical officer for the Maori people.
While studying medicine, he also studied Maori language and culture, and was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1909. During World War I, he was awarded medals as a medical and line officer. Later, his medical work among the Maori took him to other islands.
Buck began to write scientific articles on Polynesian culture that attracted the attention of anthropologists. He became an associate at the Bishop Museum in 1927 and a professor of Pacific anthropology at Yale. By 1936, he had replaced Herbert Gregory as director of the museum. He was knighted by the king of England.
His field trips took him to islands across the Pacific and resulted in many scientific publications. A renowned chanter, he made his last public appearance to chant at a dedication of a restored medicinal heiau at 'Aiea in 1951.
