Ellis, Arthur M. (Arthur McDonald), 1875-1932

Arthur McDonald Ellis (1875-1932) was born in Missouri. When he was two years old, his parents moved the family to California, where his grandfather had settled in the early 1850s. Ellis was educated in Pomona and at the University of California, Berkeley. Upon graduation he began a teaching career but left the profession after a few years to study law. He established his practice in Los Angeles in 1903. Ellis studied history while at Berkeley, and his interest in the subject was life-long. He served as director of the Historical Society of Southern California, and was its president during 1927-1928. He was also a trustee of the Southwest Museum. He lectured state-wide on California history and accumulated a large collection of photographs and slides depicting Southern California and the Southwest which he used in his presentations. He published a number of books, including "The Indians of Los Angeles County" (1926), a collection of letters of early pioneer Hugo Reid that provided first-hand accounts of the Native Americans of California and their treatment by the Mission padres.

From the description of Arthur M. Ellis Photographic Negative Collection [graphic], 1849-1923, (bulk 1880s-1890s) (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 85025815

Biographical Note

Arthur McDonald Ellis (1875-1932) was born in Missouri. When he was two years old, his parents moved the family to California, where his grandfather had settled in the early 1850s. Ellis was educated in Pomona and at the University of California, Berkeley. Upon graduation he began a teaching career, but left the profession after a few years to study law. He established his practice in Los Angeles in 1903.

Ellis studied history while at Berkeley, and his interest in the subject was life-long. He served as director of the Historical Society of Southern California, and was its president during 1927-1928. He was also a trustee of the Southwest Museum. He lectured statewide on California history and accumulated a large collection of photographs and slides depicting Southern California and the Southwest which he used in his presentations. He published a number of books, including The Indians of Los Angeles County (1926), a collection of letters of early pioneer Hugo Reid that provided firsthand accounts of the Native Americans of California and their treatment by the Mission padres.

From the guide to the Arthur M. Ellis Collection of Photographic Negatives, 1849-1923, bulk 1880s-1890s, (The Huntington Library)