Illustration of the Method of Recording Indian Languages

Albert S. (Albert Samuel) Gatschet

1832–1907

A Swiss-born linguist and ethnologist, he devoted much of his career to documenting Native American languages at a time when many were under intense pressure. His work helped preserve vocabularies, oral traditions, and cultural records that still matter to researchers today.

Stephen Return Riggs

1812–1883

A Presbyterian missionary and writer, he spent decades among the Dakota people and became closely involved in recording the Dakota language. His life and work sit at the crossroads of religion, language study, and the troubled history of U.S.–Dakota relations.