Source of Mississippi River discovered
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft was an American geographer, geologist, and ethnologist, best known for his extensive studies of Native American cultures and for his discovery of the source of the Mississippi River in 1832. Schoolcraft initially studied glassmaking, as his father had, and his first work was published in this field. He left the family business to explore the frontier at the age of twenty-five.
Before delving into his best-known works on Native American cultures, Schoolcraft initially made his name in mineralogy and geology. He conducted significant geological surveys, notably in the territories of Missouri and what would later become the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These early expeditions gained him recognition within scientific circles and paved the way for his appointment to various governmental roles.
In 1822, Schoolcraft married Jane Johnston, the daughter of a Scots-Irish fur trader, John Johnston, and his Ojibwe wife, Ozhaguscodaywayquay. This marriage deeply influenced Schoolcraft's interest in Native American cultures, as Jane was well-versed in Ojibwe folklore, language, and traditions. She was herself a poet and taught her husband the Ojibwa language, which allowed his later works.
Schoolcraft's greatest contributions were his ethnographic studies of the Ojibwe people of the Great Lakes region. He collected a wealth of information about their customs, languages, and folklore, some of which served as inspiration for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, "The Song of Hiawatha."
In 1832, he led an expedition that correctly identified Lake Itasca as the primary source of the Mississippi River. This discovery, significant for the geographical understanding of the American interior, cemented Schoolcraft's reputation as a pioneering explorer.
Schoolcraft's later years were spent in various governmental roles focused on Native American affairs. He was appointed as the United States Indian Agent in Michigan, and later served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. In these roles, he had the opportunity to shape policy, although his recommendations were often more progressive than what the U.S. government was willing to implement.
