Career
Anthony was in charge of the conchology (now malacology) department of Harvard"s Museum of Comparative Zoology for over a decade. His school education was slight, and was entirely discontinued when he became 12 years of age. Business pursuits then occupied his attention.
He probably first became a clerk for a mercantile concern.
Throughout his life, his handwriting was in the classic clerk"s or copperplate style. The year they arrived in Cincinnati, he joined the Western Academy of Natural Sciences, a group of serious amateurs.
His interest in natural history developed. His publications attracted the attention of Louis Agassiz, and in 1863 he was asked to take charge of the conchological department of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, where he remained until his death.
He accompanied Agassiz on the Thayer Expedition to Brazil in 1865.
Anthony was recognized as an authority on the American land and freshwater mollusca. He spent most of his time at Harvard sorting and mounting specimens.