Catlin, George

kat'lin, George (1796-1872), an American writer and painter. He was born at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and died at Jersey City, New Jersey. He set up at Philadelphia as a portrait painter. He traveled extensively among various tribes of American Indians,--no less than forty-eight it is said. He exhibited Indian sketches in Europe and subsequently conducted three parties of Indians in full costume from city to city of the Old World. His chief written work is a finely illustrated two-volume account of The Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians. Over 500 original portraits and sketches are preserved in the National Museum at Washington, D. C. Future writers will owe much to Catlin for his descriptions and illustrations of costumes, faces, tents, ponies, war parties, hunting parties, and noted chiefs. See Indians