biography of James Gilchrist SWAN (1818-1900)

Birth place: Medford, MA

Death place: Port Townsend, WA

Addresses: Port Townsend, WA

Profession: Painter, writer, anthropologist, indian agent, cartographer

Work: Smithsonian Inst.; Washington State Hist. Soc.

Comments: Pioneer who developed an early interest in the Northwest coast and homesteaded in 1852 on the shore of Southwest Washington to harvest oysters for the San Francisco market. His diaries and sketches constitute an important part of the history of the region, documenting life and various aspects of natural history. Specialty: Native Americans of the Northwest; early settlements.

Sources: Hughes, Artists in California, 545.

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