Final answer:
Franz Boas, who lived and worked with the Inuit, is recognized as the father of American Anthropology and was key in establishing a rigorous and direct approach to ethnography.
Step-by-step explanation:
The person who studied among the Inuit and is considered the father of American Anthropology is Franz Boas. Born in Germany, Boas began his career in the sciences with a PhD in physics and mathematics, but his work with the Inuit on Baffin Island ignited his passion for culture and led him to anthropology. After moving to the United States, he established the first anthropology department at Clark University and was a prominent figure at Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History. Boas was instrumental in promoting a rigorous approach to ethnography, insisting that anthropologists obtain information directly from the people they study. As a cultural anthropologist, Boas specialized in the Native peoples of the Northwest coast of North America and advocated for a holistic approach in anthropology. His influence extended to his students, including Ruth Benedict, Margaret Mead, and Edward Sapir, who further developed the field of psychological anthropology. Boas's contributions to the discipline shaped the way Native American cultures were studied and positioned him as a pioneer in anthropology. His legacy continues to affect the way anthropological research is conducted and interpreted.