Curtis, Edward Sheriff, 1868-1952

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Edward Sheriff Curtis, American photographer and ethnologist, was born near Whitewater, WI, in 1868 and grew up in Seattle, WA. Fascinated with the Indians and their way of life he embarked on lifelong career dedicated to presenting "the very spirit of the Indian peoples" in photographs, film, recordings and print. George Bird Grinnell, an authority on Indians, appointed him Official Photographer to the Harriman Alaska Expedition in 1899. Curtis' dream of a comprehensive written and photographic record of the Indians resulted in a twenty volume, illustrated text and twenty portfolios of large-sized photographs. Before his work received financial backing by J. Pierpont Morgan, and the endorsement of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, he gave lecture tours and sold subscriptions to the limited edition of his work to raise funding. By the time the work was finished, both his health and marriage were broken. In his later years, he moved to Los Angeles and opened a studio with his daughter, Bess Magnuson. He died Oct. 20, 1952, of a heart attack at age 84. In his lifetime he produced 10,000 recordings, 40,000 photographs, twenty volumes of text, a full-length motion picture with Kwakiutl people in 1914, and several books of Indian stories. The New York Times obituary described him as an authority on the North American Indian.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Leland Stanford collection, 1869-1975 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Washington State Library. Washington State Library's collection of the print of plate no. 309 titled Puget Sound Baskets, circa 1960-1970. Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State
creatorOf Metcalfe, June M. June Metcalfe Northwest Alaska collection, 1905-1989. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Two wooden boxes used by Edward S. Curtis to store his lantern slides [realia]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Victor Boesen papers, 1908-2003 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Daniel Webster papers, 1837-1858. Houghton Library
referencedIn A Souvenir of the Harriman Alaska Expedition, May-August 1899 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Edward Sheriff Curtis photograph collection [graphic] ca. 1907-1930. Alaska State Library
referencedIn Boesen, Victor. Victor Boesen papers, 1908-2003. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1863-1879 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1865-1891 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Biography file--artists, 1915-1984 Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. Library.
referencedIn Gilbert, Henry F. B. (Henry Franklin Belknap), 1868-1928. The Henry Gilbert papers, 1821-1980 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. The Vanishing Race, 1907. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Harvard University Archives Photograph Collection: Portraits, ca. 1852-ca. 2004 Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Caden, Michael. Out of darkness : screenplay / by Michael Caden. Texas State University-San Marcos, Albert B. Alkek Library
referencedIn Gary Snyder Papers, 1910-2003;, (1945-2002 bulk) University of California, Davis. General Library. . Dept. of Special Collections
creatorOf Mary Harriman Rumsey collection of Harriman Alaska Expedition photographs National Museum of the American Indian (U.S.) Archive Center
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. The vanishing race on the old trails, ca. 1917. Colorado College, Tutt Library
referencedIn Seattle Historical Society Founders' Day and Other Events Photograph Collection, 1894-1925, 1911-1925 Museum of History & Industry Sophie Frye Bass Library
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Franquemont family. Franquemont family collection of E.S. Curtis. The Heard Museum Library
creatorOf Edward Curtis collection, 1907-1913 The Museum of Northern Arizona
creatorOf Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, 1874-1927. Louis Agassiz Fuertes papers, 1892-1954, 1892-1927 (bulk). Cornell University Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. AMsS, [not before 1908] : [s.l.], written at bottom of page on which the photograph "The Oath-Apsaroke" is printed. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Memoirs describing expeditions and military service in Alaska and the Philippines, 1898-1926. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Negatives relating to Edward Sheriff Curtis collection of photographs of native American Indians, 20th century University of Exeter
referencedIn Parman, Donald Lee, 1932-. Donald Parman papers, 1905-1913. Little Big Horn College Library
referencedIn Harvey Pitkin Papers, 1884-1968 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Samuel B. Ruggles papers, 1801-1881 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Edward S. Curtis photograph collection [picture]. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn Studio photographers' collections, 1929-1955 (inclusive). Harvard University Art Museum
creatorOf Automobile Club of Southern California,. Automobile Club of Southern California Collection of Photographs and Negatives, 1898-1982 (bulk 1920s-1930s) Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Edward S. Curtis papers, 1906-1947. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Kelly, Luther S. (Luther Sage), 1849-1928. Memoirs describing expeditions and military service in Alaska and the Philippines, 1898-1926. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Edward S. Curtis photogravure plates and proofs for The North American Indian National Museum of the American Indian (U.S.) Archive Center
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Edward S. Curtis collection [photographs] 1900-1921. Northern Arizona University, Cline Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Edward Curtis papers, ca. 1900-ca. 1935. Getty Research Institute
referencedIn The Henry Gilbert Papers, 1821-1980 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
referencedIn Curtis, Edward S., 1868- : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Edward S. Curtis Papers, 1893-1983 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
referencedIn George G. Heye autograph collection, 1886-1928 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Gilbert, David. Scores for In the land of the head hunters, 2008. Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Curtis, Edward S. : Biographical file. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
referencedIn Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. Letter : Washington, D.C., to [Moses] Stuart, 1850 June 3. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Native American portraits : photographic prints, ca. 1910 / by Edward S. Curtis. The Heard Museum Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S.. Curtis, Edward S. : [photography bio file]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Automobile Club of Southern California Collection of Photographs and Negatives, 1898-1982, bulk 1920s-1930s The Huntington Library
referencedIn Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. Letter : Washington, D.C., to [Moses] Stuart, 1850 June 3. Texas Christian University
referencedIn George G. Heye autograph collection, 1886-1928 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn National Association for Universal Military Training Records, 1909-1933, (bulk 1916-1919) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933. Papers, 1847-1933 Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn A Souvenir of the Harriman Alaska Expedition, May-August 1899 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
creatorOf Curtis, Asahel, 1874-1941. Princess Angeline photograph and postcard collection [graphic], circa 1870-1958 (bulk 1870-1896). University of Washington. Libraries
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. TLS, 1911 October 31 : to Mrs. E.W. Scherr. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Papers, 1909-1932. Denver Public Library, Central Library
creatorOf Edward S. Curtis Collection, 1900-1921 Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Department.
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Collection of letters, documents and printed materials. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Nelson, George F. (George Francis), 1842-1932. Harriman Alaska expedition diary and artifacts, 1899 and 1901. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Corporate seal of The North American Indian [realia]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Edward S. Curtis Photograph Collection, 1906 The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for SouthwestResearch
referencedIn Gilbert, Henry F. B. (Henry Franklin Belknap), 1868-1928. The Henry Gilbert papers, 1821-1980 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
creatorOf Arctic field photographs, 1899. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Typescript relating to Edward Sheriff Curtis, 1967 University of Exeter
referencedIn Fogg Art Museum 20th-century history of photography collection, 1900-1984 (inclusive). Harvard University Art Museum
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. North American Indian, by Edward S. Curtis : portfolio of photographs by Edward S. Curtis, 1907-1930. The Heard Museum Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Getty Research Institute. Documents of an Encounter: Edward Curtis and the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations, June 5-7, 2008 Getty Research Institute
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Photographs of the filming of Cecil B. DeMille's The ten commandments by Edward S. Curtis [graphic]. California historical society
creatorOf Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Collection, 1871-1937. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Neal, John, 1793-1876. Papers, 1803-1880 Houghton Library
creatorOf Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. Edward Sheriff Curtis photograph collection, 1906-1930. Southern Illinois University, Morris Library
creatorOf Photographs and display boards relating to exhibition on 'Visions of a vanishing race' by Edward Sheriff Curtis, 1970s-1980s University of Exeter
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Oral history interview with Imogen Cunningham Archives of American Art

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associatedWith Automobile Club of Southern California, corporateBody
correspondedWith Barnard, Frederick Augustus Porter person
correspondedWith Billings, John S. person
associatedWith Boesen, Victor. person
associatedWith Braham, John J. person
associatedWith Caden, Michael. person
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
associatedWith Charles E. Lauriat Co. corporateBody
associatedWith Communist Party of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Cunningham, Imogen, 1883-1976, person
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith DeMille, Cecil B. (Cecil Blount), 1881-1959 person
associatedWith Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, 1874-1927. person
associatedWith George G.(George Gustav), Heye 1874-1957. person
associatedWith Getty Research Institute. corporateBody
associatedWith Gilbert, David. person
associatedWith Gilbert, Henry F. B. (Henry Franklin Belknap), 1868-1928 person
associatedWith Gilbert, Henry F. B. (Henry Franklin Belknap), 1868-1928. person
associatedWith Graybill, Florence Curtis person
associatedWith Greene, Belle da Costa. person
associatedWith Harriman Alaska Expedition (1899) corporateBody
associatedWith Heard Museum. corporateBody
correspondedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 person
associatedWith Heye, George G. (George Gustav), 1874-1957. person
associatedWith Indian Rights Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Jane Jordan Browne person
associatedWith Kelly, Luther S. (Luther Sage), 1849-1928. person
associatedWith Maddox, R. S. person
associatedWith Metcalfe, June M. person
associatedWith Morgan, Henry S. (Henry Sturgis), 1900- person
associatedWith Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, person
associatedWith Morgan, J. P. (John Pierpont), 1867-1943. person
associatedWith Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. Library. corporateBody
correspondedWith National Association for Universal Military Training corporateBody
correspondedWith Neal, John, 1793-1876 person
associatedWith Nelson, George F. (George Francis), 1842-1932. person
associatedWith North American Indian, Inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Parman, Donald Lee, 1932- person
associatedWith Pitkin, Harvey person
correspondedWith Riggs, E. Francis person
associatedWith Roberts, Theodore, 1861-1928 person
correspondedWith Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933 person
associatedWith Roche, Charles de, 1880-1952 person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. person
associatedWith Ruggles, Samuel B. (Samuel Bulkley), 1800-1881 person
associatedWith Scherr, E. W. Mrs. person
associatedWith Snyder, Gary person
associatedWith Torrey, John person
associatedWith Washington State Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. person
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Birth 1868-02-16

Death 1952-10-19

Americans

English

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