Elliott, T. C. (Thompson Coit), 1862-1943

Thompson Coit Elliott resided in Walla Walla, Washington, from 1886 until his death in 1943 at the age of 80. Born in Newington, Connecticut and educated at Amherst College in Massachusetts, Elliott traveled west and made his living as an investment banker. He married Anna A. Baker in Walla Walla in 1890. His passion for history is revealed by an outpouring of historical publications, mostly in the Oregon Historical Quarterly and the Washington Historical Quarterly, and in his years of service on the board of directors of both the Oregon Historical Society and the Washington State Historical Society. Elliott was also an active member in the American Historical Association. He received honorary degrees from the University of Oregon and Amherst College, and an honorary membership from the British Columbia Historical Society. Elliot was also elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

T.C. Elliott wrote widely on subjects relating to Pacific Northwest history. Much of his work focused on the early fur trade and explorations of the Inland Empire, with later work devoted to early contact along the Oregon coast. Although he principally wrote for historical publications, he did for a time pen a column in the Oregonian under the pseudonym C.T. Johnson. Elliott gave numerous public addresses and participated enthusiastically in community events celebrating local history. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, and a supporter of the Walla Walla public library and Whitman College.

...