Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946

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Ernest Thompson Seton was an American writer, naturalist and outdoorsman.

From the description of Ernest Thompson Seton collection. [1931]. (University of Victoria Libraries). WorldCat record id: 676777117

Naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton was born Ernest Evan Thompson in northeast England, and raised in Canada; he changed his name at the age of sixteen to distance himself from his father. He apprenticed with a portrait artist, and spent a year in England studying at the Royal Academy of Art, but returned to Canada to work a homestead in remote Manitoba, exploring and studying nature. He continued to paint, and wrote realistic stories about animals, including the collection Wild Animals I Have Known, and became a popular lecturer. His great respect for nature and animals made him a key factor in founding the Boy Scouts of America. He became an American citizen in 1931.

From the description of Ernest Thompson Seton postal card to Michael M. Engel, 1941 Jan. 13. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 70901358

English-born author, artist, and naturalist.

From the description of The birds that we see : annotated typescript, [19--]. (Peking University Library). WorldCat record id: 53203934

Author, wildlife artist, and a founder of the Boy Scouts of America, author of "The Boy Scout Handbook."

From the description of Ernest Thompson Seton letter to [Edwin?] Markham [manuscript], 1926 May 26. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 781303514

His name by birth was Ernest Evan Seton Thompson, and he was born in South Shields, Durham, England on August 14, 1860. When he was six years old, young Seton moved with his father to a hundred acre estate in the heavy woodlands of Ontario, Canada, and time spent on that estate would have a profound impact on his later life. In 1892 he was appointed the official naturalist to the government of Manitoba, and founded the Boy Scouts of America in 1910, for six years he served as Chief Scout. In 1931 he became an American citizen and died in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1946. Of his writing Ernest Thompson Seton said "Some will say, however, that even granting the truth of all details, I have added an atmosphere, a feeling of human sensibility, that conveys a wrong notion of the animal's way of life. To this I reply: 'The subject of my first book, and indeed of all my books, was the personality of the individual animal. No man can write of another personality without adding a suggestion of his own. The personal touch may be the poison of science, but may also be the making of literature, and is absolutely inevitable. Biographical Source: Something About the Author.Volume 18, 1980.

From the description of Ernest Thompson Seton Papers undated. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 432980863

Ernest Thompson Seton was an illustrator, author, naturalist and storyteller.

Seton was born in Scotland, but moved with his family to Canada in 1866, where he developed his interest in wildlife and Native American peoples. In the 1880's Seton spent time in New York City, researching animals at the American Museum of Natural History, where he did many of his wildlife drawings. Seton later moved to Connecticut where he founded the Woodcraft League, a precursor to the Boy Scouts; he was also chairman of the founding committee for the Boy Scouts of America.

From the description of Collection, 1879-1946. (American Museum of Natural History). WorldCat record id: 76832883

Naturalist, writer.

Seton was one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America.

From the description of Correspondence, 1870-1960, 1890-1946 (bulk) (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155485405

His name by birth was Ernest Evan Seton Thompson, and he was born in South Shields, Durham, England on August 14, 1860. When he was six years old, young Seton moved with his father to a hundred acre estate in the heavy woodlands of Ontario, Canada, and time spent on that estate would have a profound impact on his later life. In 1892 he was appointed the official naturalist to the government of Manitoba, and founded the Boy Scouts of America in 1910, for six years he served as Chief Scout. In 1931 he became an American citizen and died in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1946. Of his writing Ernest Thompson Seton said "Some will say, however, that even granting the truth of all details, I have added an atmosphere, a feeling of human sensibility, that conveys a wrong notion of the animal's way of life. To this I reply: 'The subject of my first book, and indeed of all my books, was the personality of the individual animal. No man can write of another personality without adding a suggestion of his own. The personal touch may be the poison of science, but may also be the making of literature, and is absolutely inevitable.'"

Biographical Source: Something About the Author. Volume 18, 1980

From the guide to the Ernest Thompson Seton Papers, undated, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Mary Fanton Roberts papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Henry Cohen papers Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Quintana, Carmen. Carmen Quintana collection, 1782-1958 (bulk, 1860-1933). New Mexico State Library
referencedIn Anson Burlingame and Edward L. Burlingame Family Papers, 1810-1922 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Handwriting samples of naturalists and others, ca. 1800-1970 (inclusive) Harvard University, Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology
referencedIn Lummis, Charles Fletcher, 1859-1928. Charles F. Lummis collection, 1878-1920. Museum of New Mexico Library
creatorOf Adams, James Truslow, 1878-1949. Barrett assorted authors collection, 1814-1947 University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, 1996. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Miscellaneous Canadian papers, 1646-1935. Houghton Library
referencedIn Fordyce Family papers, 1839-1979 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Pach Brothers Portrait Photograph Collection, 1867-1947, undated (bulk 1880-1940) New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, 2002 Feb. 16-Dec. 31. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Additional letters from various correspondents, 1849-1931. Houghton Library
creatorOf Mary Hunter Austin Collection Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Burroughs, John, 1837-1921. Papers of John Burroughs [manuscript], 1856-1943. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Stuart H. Patterson papers, circa 1880-1963 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Ernest Thompson Seton collection. [1931]. University of Victoria Libraries, UVic
creatorOf Akeley, Carl Ethan, 1864-1926. Autograph collection of Raymond Gorges [manuscript], 1725-1928. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Correspondence of Ernest Thompson Seton [manuscript], 1899-1922. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Ernest Thompson Seton's journal. Wolf hunt (only), New Mexico Oct. 17, 1893 to Feb. 9, 1894 / transcribed by Julie Anne Seton. American Museum of Natural History
creatorOf Lungren, Fernand, 1857-1932. Papers of Fernand Lungren, 1897-1928. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Ina Sizer Cassidy Collection, 1915-1965 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Letters of Ernest Thompson Seton [manuscript], 1925-1936. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, 1998. Boston Athenaeum
creatorOf Bussenius, Luellen Teters, 1868-1968. Luellen Teters Bussenius papers, 1874-1969. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Clara Barrus and John Burroughs Papers, 1877-1981, (bulk 1920-1958) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin, 1879-1959. Papers, 1860s-1993 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Charles F. Lummis Collection, 1878-1920 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
referencedIn Daniel Carter Beard Papers, 1798-1941, (bulk 1931-1935) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. [Letter] 1926 July 30, Greenwich, Connecticut, [to] Mr. Edwin Markham, [Staten Island] / Ernest Seton. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
referencedIn Charles Bendire Papers, 1874-1919, (bulk 1874-1919) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Mary Fanton Roberts papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, 2001. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn William T. Hornaday papers, 1903-1914. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn William Ashby McCloy papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin. Papers, 1878-1989 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, 1997. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn American Author Portraits [manuscript], 1774-1902. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Nusbaum, Jesse L. (Jesse Logan). 1933 Chicago World's Fair Southwest Indian exhibit collection, 1913-1950. Museum of New Mexico Library
referencedIn Letters sent to Walter Hines Page from various correspondents, English period, 1876-1937. Houghton Library
creatorOf Gerald Cassidy scrapbooks University of California, Berkeley. Library
referencedIn Autograph collection of American writers, 1808-1970. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
creatorOf Press of the Palace of Governors. Press of the Palace of the Governors records, 1974-1997. Museum of New Mexico Library
referencedIn Autographed correspondence collection of British-Canadian writers, 1804-1954. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. The birds that we see : annotated typescript, [19--]. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Cohen, Henry, 1863-1952. Cohen, Henry, personal correspondence, 1850-1951. University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Ernest Thompson Seton postal card to Michael M. Engel, 1941 Jan. 13. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Farrar, Betty. Betty Farrar photograph collection [graphic]. New Mexico State Library
creatorOf Ernest Thompson Seton Papers, undated University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections
creatorOf Welsh, Charles, 1850-1914. Charles Welsh letters received, 1901-1903. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Preble, Edward Alexander, 1871-1957. Alberta-Mackenzie barren grounds, 1907 / [by Edward A. Preble]. American Museum of Natural History
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Ernest Thompson Seton letter to [Edwin?] Markham [manuscript], 1926 May 26. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Autograph File, S, 1556-1996. Houghton Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Letter [18]99 Feb. 13, N.Y. to [S.P.] Langley [Washington, D.C.]. University of Michigan
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. [Letter] 1916 November 15, Greenwich, Connecticut, [to] Mr. Edwin Markham, [Staten Island] / Ernest Thompson Seton. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, ca. 1999. Boston Athenaeum
creatorOf Cassidy, Ina Sizer, 1869-1965. Ina Sizer Cassidy Collection 1915-1955. Museum of New Mexico Library
referencedIn Cummings, Carlos E. (Carlos Emmons), 1878-1964. Papers, 1867-1964 (bulk 1895-1964). Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Carmen Quintana Collection, 1782-1958 (bulk 1860-1933) New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
referencedIn Letters and documents. Hollins University, Wyndham Robertson Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. [African lioness [graphic] / drawn by Ernest Thompson Seton.] UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Ernest Thompson Seton Papers undated. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Ward, Henry Baldwin, 1865-1945. Papers, 1888-1942 (bulk). American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Correspondence, 1870-1960, 1890-1946 (bulk) New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn William T. Hornaday Papers, 1866-1975, (bulk 1906-1936) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Letter, 1931. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Century Magazine. Correspondence of the editors of the Century Magazine [manuscript], 1883-1900. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Loud family. Loud family papers, 1882-1942. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Dixon, David A., 1927-1966. David A. Dixon papers, 1958?-1992. Nevada State Historical Society
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Correspondence to Franklin Baldwin Wiley, 1925. University of Pennsylvania Library
creatorOf D. Appleton-Century Company. Records, 1846-1962. Indiana University
creatorOf Crouse, John Robert, 1874-1946. John Robert Crouse autograph collection, [15--]-ca. 1946. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Appleton-Century mss., 1846-1962 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. [Journal]. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Luellen Teters Bussenius Papers, 1874-1969. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn 1933 Chicago World's Fair Southwest Indian Exhibit Collection, 1913-1950 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
referencedIn Cassidy, Ina Sizer, 1869-1965. Ina Sizer Cassidy collection, 1828-1958 (bulk, 1828-1850). New Mexico State Library
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Autograph signature. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
creatorOf Albert S. Bickmore papers, 1854-1914 (bulk 1865-1903). American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Ward, Henry Baldwin, 1865-1945. Correspondence, 1859-1942. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Autograph File, S, 1556-1996. Houghton Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Collection, 1879-1946. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Howells family papers, 1850-1954 (inclusive). Houghton Library
referencedIn Patterson, Stuart H. Stuart H. Patterson papers, circa 1880-1963. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Additional letters of Ernest Thompson Seton [manuscript], 1899-1932. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Righter, James V. (James Volney). Artist's book, 2000. Boston Athenaeum
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adams, Charles Follen, 1842-1918, person
associatedWith Austin, Mary Hunter, 1868-1934. person
associatedWith Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, Baron,1857-1941. person
correspondedWith Barrus, Clara, 1864-1931 person
associatedWith Beard, Daniel Carter, 1850-1941. person
correspondedWith Bendire, Charles, 1836-1897. person
associatedWith Bickmore, Albert S. (Albert Smith), 1839-1914. person
associatedWith Boy Scouts of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Burlingame, Anson, 1820-1870. person
associatedWith Burlingame, Edward L. (Edward Livermore), 1848-1922 person
associatedWith Burroughs, John, 1837-1921. person
associatedWith Bussenius, Luellen Teters, 1868-1968. person
associatedWith Camp-Fire Club of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Camp Fire Girls. corporateBody
associatedWith Cassidy, Gerald, 1879-1934. person
associatedWith Cassidy, Ina Sizer, 1869 1965 person
associatedWith Cassidy, Ina Sizer, 1869-1965. person
associatedWith Century Magazine. corporateBody
associatedWith Chapman, William Gerard, 1877-1945, person
associatedWith Cohen, Henry, 1863-1952 person
associatedWith Crouse, John Robert, 1874-1946. person
associatedWith Cummings, Carlos E. (Carlos Emmons), 1878-1964. person
associatedWith D. Appleton-Century Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Dibner, Bern, person
associatedWith Dixon, David A., 1927-1966. person
associatedWith Engel, Michael M. person
associatedWith Farrar, Betty. person
associatedWith Fawcett, James Waldo, b. 1893, person
associatedWith Fordyce family family
associatedWith Gilder, Richard Watson, 1844-1909 person
associatedWith Girl Scouts of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Grace (Gallatin) Seton, 1872-1959 person
associatedWith Hatt, Robert T. (Robert Torrens), 1902- person
associatedWith Henshaw, Samuel, 1852-1941 person
associatedWith Hornaday, William T. (William Temple), 1854-1937. person
correspondedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith La Fonda Hotel (Santa Fe, N.M.) corporateBody
associatedWith Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906. person
associatedWith Loud family. family
associatedWith Lowther, J. R. person
associatedWith Lummis, Charles Fletcher, 1859-1928. person
associatedWith Lungren, Fernand, 1857-1932. person
associatedWith Markham, Edwin, 1852-1940, person
associatedWith Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942. person
associatedWith New York Zoological Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 person
associatedWith Patterson, Stuart H. person
associatedWith Patterson, Stuart H. person
associatedWith Pond, James B. (James Burton), 1838-1903, person
associatedWith Preble, Edward Alexander, 1871-1957. person
associatedWith Press of the Palace of Governors. corporateBody
associatedWith Quintana, Carmen. person
associatedWith Righter, James V. (James Volney) person
associatedWith Roberts, Mary Fanton person
associatedWith Roberts, Mary Fanton, 1871-1956. person
associatedWith Seton, Julie Anne, 1961- person
associatedWith Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin. person
associatedWith Ward, Henry Baldwin, 1865-1945. person
associatedWith Welsh, Charles, 1850-1914. person
associatedWith Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923 person
associatedWith Woodcraft League. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Manitoba
West (U.S.)
British Columbia
New Mexico
Canada
United States
Subject
American literature
Authors, American
Animal behavior
Animals
Birds
Boys
Girls
Indians of North America
Lion
Natural history
Natural history
Natural history
Naturalists
Science
Wolf hunting
Occupation
Authors, American
Authors, American
Naturalist
Activity

Person

Birth 1860-08-14

Death 1946-10-23

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 20712633