Stephen D. (Stephen Denison) Peet

Born in Euclid, Ohio, in December 1831, Stephen Denison Peet was an American clergyman, editor, and writer whose work centered on archaeology and antiquarian studies. He is remembered especially for his long association with The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal, which he edited for many years.

Peet wrote extensively about ancient sites and material culture in North America. His major works include the multi-volume Prehistoric America, with volumes such as The Mound Builders: Their Works and Relics and The Cliff Dwellers and Pueblos. His writing reflects the strong 19th-century interest in documenting earthworks, ruins, and artifacts across the United States.

He died in 1914, leaving behind a large body of historical and archaeological writing. Today, his books are part of the record of early American archaeology and show how scholars and popular writers of his era tried to interpret the continent’s deep past.