Catlin, George

1876 - George Catlin, born on the 26th of July in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was educated as a lawyer and practiced in Philadelphia for two years; but art was his favorite pursuit, and forsaking the law he established himself at New York as a portrait painter.

1823 - He gave up a budding law practice and started painting.

1830 - After seven years as a successful portraitist, he had the good fortune to meet William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, then Superintendent of Indian Affairs, who became his patron.

1830 - 1836 - He made several excursions west and sketched, painted and recorded in his journal all aspects of contemporary Indian life.

1840 - He came to Europe with his collection of paintings, most of which are now in the National Museum, Washington, as the Catlin Gallery.

1841 - He published the Manners, Customs and Condition of the North American Indians in two volumes, illustrated with 300 engravings.

1844 - The North American Portfolio, containing 25 plates of hunting scenes and amusements in the Rocky Mountains and the prairies of America,.

1848 - Travels and Residence in Europe.

1861 - He published a curious little volume, in "manugraph", entitled The Breath of Life, on the advantage of keeping one's mouth habitually closed, especially during sleep.

1868 - Last Rambles amongst the Indians of the Rocky Mountains and the Andes.

1872 - He died in Jersey City, New Jersey, on the 22nd of December.