Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868 – 1952)

Internationally known authority on the North American Indian, an ethnologist and photographer. Curtis took over 40,000 photographicimages of over 80 tribes. He recorded tribal lore and history, described leaders, food, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs.

Curtis was known as ‘Shadow Catcher,’ a name given to him by several tribes.

“The information that is to be gathered, of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost.” — Edward S. Curtis