author
Arthur C. (Arthur Caswell) Parker
1881–1955
A pioneering Seneca scholar, museum leader, and storyteller, he helped bring Native American history and tradition to a wider public through both research and accessible writing. His work joined archaeology, folklore, and advocacy in a way that still feels remarkably modern.
1 Audiobook
Seneca myths and folk tales
by Arthur C. (Arthur Caswell) Parker
About the author
Born on April 5, 1881, on the Cattaraugus Reservation in New York, Arthur Caswell Parker became one of the most influential Native American scholars of his era. He was of Seneca and European ancestry, and his writing and research focused especially on Seneca and Iroquois history, traditions, and culture.
Parker worked as an archaeologist, ethnologist, historian, folklorist, and museum director. He served at the New York State Museum and later led the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences, building its collections and expanding its public reach. He was also known as an advocate for Native communities and for preserving Indigenous knowledge at a time when much of it was being ignored or distorted.
Alongside his museum and scholarly work, he wrote widely for both specialists and general readers. His books and articles helped document Native American life with seriousness and respect, making him an important bridge between academic research and a broader reading public.