John Reed Swanton

Quick Facts: Who was John Reed Swanton?

Subject:

John Reed Swanton

Known for:

American anthropologist, folklorist, and linguist known for work with Native American peoples.

Born:

1873-02-19

Died:

1958-05-02

Century / Era:

1873s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

John Reed Swanton (February 19, 1873 – May 2, 1958) was an American anthropologist, folklorist, and linguist who worked with Native American peoples throughout the United States. Swanton achieved recognition in the fields of ethnology and ethnohistory. He is particularly noted for his work with indigenous peoples of the Southeast and Pacific Northwest. Born in Gardiner, Maine, after the death of his father, Walter Scott Swanton, he was raised by his mother, Mary Olivia (née Worcester), his grandmother, and his great-aunt. From his mother, in particular, he was imbued with a gentle disposition, a concern for human justice, and a lifelong interest in the works of Emanuel Swedenborg.

Career & Major Achievements

He was inspired to pursue history, and, more specifically, anthropology by his reading of William H. Prescott, The Conquest of Mexico. Swanton attended local schools and then entered Harvard University, earning an AB in 1896, an AM in 1897, and a PhD in 1900. His mentor at Harvard was Frederic Ward Putnam, who sent him to study linguistics with Franz Boas at Columbia University in 1898 and 1899, as he worked on his PhD dissertation, The Morphology of the Chinook Verb. Within months of receiving his doctorate from Harvard, Swanton began working for the Bureau of American Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., at which he continued for the duration of his career, spanning more than 40 years. Swanton first did fieldwork in the Northwest.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In his early career, he worked mostly with the Tlingit and Haida. He produced two extensive compilations of Haida stories and myths, and transcribed many of them into Haida. These transcriptions have served as the basis for Robert Bringhurst's translation of the poetry of Haida mythtellers Skaay and Ghandl. Swanton spent roughly a year with the Haida. Another major study area was of the Muskogean-speaking peoples in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1873 (1873-02-19): Birth of John Reed Swanton — American anthropologist, folklorist, and linguist known for work with Native American peoples.
2. 1896: 1896 Milestone — Swanton attended local schools and then entered Harvard University, earning an AB in 1896, an AM in 1897, and a PhD in 1900.
3. 1898: 1898 Milestone — His mentor at Harvard was Frederic Ward Putnam, who sent him to study linguistics with Franz Boas at Columbia University in 1898 and 1899, as he worked on his PhD dissertation, The Morphology of the Chinook Verb.
4. 1958 (1958-05-02): Passing & Historical Legacy — John Reed Swanton passed away on 1958-05-02, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: John Reed Swanton

True or False: “John Reed Swanton's early academic focus was solely on the linguistic structures of the Chinook language.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he worked extensively on the morphology of the Chinook Verb for his dissertation, his interests were broader, encompassing ethnology and history.

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Frequently Asked Questions about John Reed Swanton