Clifton, James A.

Clifton was born in St. Louis (Mo.), on Jan. 6, 1927, the son of A.P. and Katherine Clifton. He served as a merchant seaman, 1942-1946, and participated in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. During the Korean War, Clifton served as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, and later, in Japan. He earned a Ph. B at the University of Chicago, a M.A. in Anthropology at San Francisco State University, and a Ph. D. in Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Clifton taught at a number of colleges, notably the University of Wis.-Green Bay, from which he retired in 1990. Afterwards, he was associated with Western Mich. University. His research interests concentrated on the Native Americans of the U.S .and Canada, but also included the indigenous peoples of Micronesia and Chile. He conducted field research in Native American communities in Oregon, Colo., Wis., Kan., and Canada. Clifton was recognized as a leading authority on the ethno-history of Native Americans of the Great Lakes-Ohio Valley Region. Since 1964, he served as an expert witness in several treaty rights cases in federal courts. During his career, Clifton wrote a dozen books and had over 150 articles and essays published in various professional journals. On Dec. 20, 1947, Clifton married Faye Gilmore. Together they had four children. On July 20, 2000, James Clifton died of cancer. His wife and children survived him. (This information is from the collection, mostly from his obituary.).

From the description of Native American research collection, 1806-2001. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 57235543

Clifton was from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

From the description of "Visiting Indians" in Canada", 1979. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 40419826

Clifton received his Ph.B from Chicago in 1950, his M.A. from San Fransisco State in 1959, and Ph.D. from Oregon in 1960. He joined the faculty of KU in 1962.

From the guide to the Personal Papers of James A. Clifton, 1962-1970, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library University Archives)