George Catlin
Catlin, George (1796–1872), a United States painter and author. His paintings, sketches, and writings form an important record of American Indian life. In the 1830's Catlin traveled extensively in the Great Plains, visiting some 48 tribes. Many of his paintings were reproduced in Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of the North American Indians (2 volumes, 1841).
Catlin was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He practiced law for several years before moving to Philadelphia to study art. About 1837 Catlin established his Indian Gallery, a collection of paintings, costumes, and artifacts, and exhibited in the United States and Europe. In the 1850's he made several trips to South America to paint Indian life. More than 500 original paintings and sketches are in the Smithsonian Institution.