Origins & Early Life

Edward Sherriff Curtis (February 19, 1868 – October 19, 1952; sometimes incorrectly spelled as Edward Sheriff Curtis) was an American photographer and ethnologist whose work focused on the American West and Native American people. Sometimes referred to as the "Shadow Catcher", Curtis traveled the United States to document and record the dwindling ways of life of various native tribes through photographs and audio recordings. Curtis was born on February 19, 1868, on a farm in the Town of Cold Spring north of Whitewater, Wisconsin. His father, Reverend Ashen "Johnson" Curtis (1840–1887), was a minister, farmer, and American Civil War veteran born in Ohio.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother, Ellen Sherriff (1844–1912), was born in Pennsylvania. Curtis's siblings were Raphael, also called Ray; Edward, called Eddy; Eva; and Asahel Curtis. Weakened by his experiences in the Civil War, Johnson Curtis had difficulty in managing his farm, resulting in hardship and poverty for his family. Around 1874, the family moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota to join Johnson Curtis's father, Asahel Curtis, who ran a grocery store and was a postmaster in Le Sueur County. Curtis left school in the sixth grade and...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adah Isaacs Menken — Contemporary (Died in 1868) (1868): American actress, painter, and poet known for sensational stage performances.
• Annie S. D. Maunder — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering Irish astronomer known for discovering the Maunder Minimum and sunspot cycles.
• Arnold Sommerfeld — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for quantum and atomic structure models.
• Albert Bassermann — Contemporary (Died in 1952) (1952): Esteemed German stage and screen actor, celebrated for his dramatic versatility.
• Amy Tan — Contemporary (Born in 1952) (1952): Acclaimed American novelist celebrated for exploring Chinese-American family dynamics.
• Angela Strank — Contemporary (Born in 1952) (1952): British engineer and Chief Scientist at BP, specializing in downstream technology.
• Bruno Ganz — Shared historical date (02-16 · Died) (2019): Esteemed Swiss actor celebrated for intense roles in German cinema and stage.
• Carl Icahn — Shared historical date (02-16 · Born) (1936): Activist investor and founder of Icahn Enterprises, known for corporate influence.
• Benjamin Banneker — Shared historical date (10-19 · Died) (1806): Self-taught polymath, surveyor, and advocate for racial equality in early America.
• Camille Claudel — Shared historical date (10-19 · Died) (1943): Pioneering French sculptor celebrated for figurative works in bronze and marble.
• 1868 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1868
• February 16 (02-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 16
• 1952 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1952
• October 19 (10-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 19