Fay-Cooper Cole was the first archeologist to use dendrology in studies about Illinois and the Midwest.

He is also known for his research in Mindanao from 1910-1912 and in Indonesia from 1922-1923.

He was important to the anthropological field because he started the anthropology program at the University of Chicago in 1929.

Because of his efforts the anthropology department separated from the sociology department to become its own department.

He is responsible for the Worcester Collection at the Field Museum of Natural History.