Edward Sheriff Curtis was an American photographer ... whose work focused on the American West and on Native American people. Curtis traveled the United States to document and record the dwindling ways of life of various native tribes through photographs and audio recordings. Curtis's goal was to document Native American life, pre-colonization.
He wrote in the introduction to his first volume in 1907, "The information that is to be gathered ... respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost." Curtis made over 10,000 wax cylinder recordings of Native American language and music.
He took over 40,000 photographic images of members of over 80 tribes. He recorded tribal lore and history, described traditional foods, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs. He wrote biographical sketches of tribal leaders. [Source: Wikipedia]