Discover Edward Curtis’s Legacy
The Story of Edward S. Curtis
Edward S. Curtis was a pioneering photographer and ethnographer who devoted his life to documenting the cultures of Native American tribes across North America. Born in 1868 in rural Wisconsin, Curtis discovered photography early and transformed that passion into a decades-long mission. His life’s work, The North American Indian, spans twenty volumes of photographs and field notes capturing the traditions, people, and languages of over 80 Indigenous tribes during the early 20th century.
His journey began in 1900, when he photographed Princess Angeline, daughter of Chief Sealth of Seattle. That encounter sparked a lifelong commitment to preserving Native American heritage through visual and written records. Over the next 30 years, Curtis traveled extensively, producing more than 40,000 photographs and audio recordings. He immersed himself in the daily lives of the communities he visited—learning languages, attending ceremonies, and building deep relationships.
Curtis’s goal was not only to photograph, but to preserve. He recorded songs, rituals, clothing, and oral histories, often spending months living among the people he documented. His work aimed to honor the beauty, complexity, and resilience of Native cultures at a time when they faced relentless pressures of assimilation and displacement.
Though some scholars have questioned aspects of his approach, many descendants of his subjects recognize the significance of what he preserved. His portraits and writings remain essential cultural records—viewed not just as art, but as powerful links to ancestral knowledge and identity.
“The North American Indian” is a testament to Curtis’s vision and his unwavering commitment to documenting the fading worlds of these communities. Through his lens, Curtis provided future generations with the means to see and learn about the rich traditions and social practices of Native American tribes at a pivotal time in their history. This section of our website is dedicated to exploring the life of this visionary man, the profound challenges he faced, the extraordinary lengths he went to in his pursuit of preservation, and the indelible impact of his work that continues to resonate today.
The North American Indian, Now Within Reach
All twenty volumes of Edward S. Curtis’s landmark work are finally available in paperback. Bring this extraordinary record of Native American life into your hands.