Henry Schoolcraft

Early Life and Pursuit of Discovery

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, also known as Henry Schoolcraft, was a curious and adventurous man born in 1793. Schoolcraft’s life embodied the spirit of discovery, from his glass business to the Mississippi River expedition.

Career Shift and Exploration

While he initially pursued the family business, Schoolcraft soon recognized his true calling. He dedicated himself to the study of geology, published papers on the topic, and bravely explored the untamed Missouri territory. Mapping the upper Mississippi and Lake Superior ignited Schoolcraft’s fascination with Native American cultures. His life and career were influenced by the various traditions, stories, and beliefs he came across.

Marriage to Jane Johnston and Native American Advocacy

In 1822, Henry Schoolcraft became an Indian agent in Michigan and married Jane Johnston, who was of Ojibwe and Scottish heritage. Jane served as his wife, guide, and teacher, immersing him in her people’s language, customs, and oral traditions. Schoolcraft achieved fluency in the Ojibwe language under her guidance and started recording the cultural history of the Native American tribes he met.

Discovery of the Mississippi River’s Source

In 1832, Schoolcraft embarked on a daring adventure to find the source of the Mississippi River. Despite dangerous conditions, Schoolcraft and his team made it to Lake Itasca, Minnesota. Schoolcraft’s declaration of Lake Itasca as the Mississippi’s source solidified his reputation as a remarkable geographer and explorer.

Advocacy for Native American Rights

Schoolcraft made contributions beyond exploration. Throughout his career, he tirelessly advocated for Native American rights. He negotiated treaties, fought for fair land deals, and advocated for an “Indian State” to preserve their way of life. His views were a mix of assimilation and preservation, often contradictory.

Writing and Documentation of Native American Culture

Schoolcraft was an active writer and scholar in addition to his advocacy work. His reports on Native American tribes, published in a six-volume work commissioned by Congress, provided valuable insights into their cultures and histories. Later scholars criticized the romanticized and stereotypical portrayals in these accounts.

Legacy and Cultural Contributions

Despite the criticisms, Schoolcraft’s greatest legacy is his work to safeguard and pass on Native American stories and traditions. He compiled and published Ojibwe legends, including “The Song of Hiawatha,” which fascinated readers nationwide. Longfellow’s adaptation of “The Song of Hiawatha” caused controversy with its romanticized depiction of Native American life.

Schoolcraft’s life was filled with exploration, advocacy, and scholarship. His contributions to geography, anthropology, and Native American cultures are significant despite the limitations of his perspective.