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Ernest Thompson Seton

Author,Illustrator,Editor

(1860 - 1946)

Image of Ernest Thompson Seton

Ernest Thompson Seton was a noted author, wildlife artist, founder of the Woodcraft Indians, and one of the founding pioneers of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Seton also influenced Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting.

His first wife was fellow author Grace Gallatin Seton Thompson. His second wife was fellow author Julia M. Buttree.

His notable books related to Scouting include The Birch Bark Roll and The Boy Scout Handbook. He is responsible for the appropriation and incorporation of what he believed to be American Indian elements into the traditions of the BSA.

Famously, on his 21st birthday, his father presented him with a bill for his birth, upbringing and education, which he paid -- and never spoke to his father again.

Ernest changed his name from Ernest Seton Thompson to Ernest Thompson Seton in 1902.

As the cofounder of the Boy Scouts of America, many of his publications were ephemeral, such as the Birch Bark Roll of which there seem to have been nearly twenty issues.



Bibliography

The Forester’s Manual (1912)

Foresters Manual seton.jpg book cover

This book was written as a supplement to the author’s books on woodcraft. It was designated No. 2 of Scout Manual Series. Read for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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The Gospel of the Redman: An Indian Bible (1936)

Gospel of the Redman seton.jpg book cover

A summary of Native American society and belief as it was before Columbus.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Julia M. Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Unknown

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Great Historic Animals: Mainly About Wolves (1937)

Great Historic Animals Mainly About Wolves seton.jpg book cover

Mainly About Wolves is the English edition title for this book about animals known to history or legend.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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A Handbook to Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba (1909)

handbook to Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba sseton.jpg book cover

This handbook was prepared for the 79th annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. One chapter is by Seton. It is called Fauna of Manitoba. Read this book for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Et al
Illustrator(s): Photographs
Unknown
James White

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How to Play Indian (1903)

How to Play Indian seton curtis.jpg book cover

This pamphlet was reprinted from Ladies’ Home Journal. It was the first instruction for the new Woodcraft Indians. Read for free online at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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Johnny Bear and Other Stories from Lives of the Hunted (1924)

johnny bear tito chickadee seton.jpg book cover

Includes Johnny Bear, Tito, and Why the Chickadee Goes Crazy.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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Johnny Bear, Lobo and Other Stories (1935)

Johnny Bear Lobo and Other Stories seton.jpg book cover

Includes Johnny Bear, Lobo, Raggylug, Chink, The Mother Teal and the Overland Rout and Wully.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

Details »

Krag and Johnny Bear (1902)

Krag and Johnny Bear seton.jpg book cover

Stories from Lives of the Hunted including Krag, Randy, Johnny Bear and Chink. Read for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

Details »

The Legend of the White Reindeer (1915)

Legend-of-the-White-Reindee.jpg book cover

Animal biographies from Animal Heroes, including Arnaux The Chronicle of a Homing Pigeon, The Boy and the Lynx and The Legend of the White Reindeer.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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Life-Histories of Northern Animals Two Volumes (1909)

Life Histories of Northern Animals Two Volumes seton 2.jpg book cover

An exhaustive work describing the lives of the mammals found in Manitoba. Read for free online at Internet Archive: Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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Lives of Game Animals: Four Volumes (1925)

Lives of Game Animals Four Volumes seton.jpg book cover

A four-volume work describing the lives of North American animals that are of interest to sportsmen.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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Lobo and Other Stories (1925)

Lobo and Other Stories seton.jpg book cover

Contains Lobo, Silverspot, Redruff and Bingo.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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Mainly About Wolves (1937)

Mainly About Wolves seton.jpg book cover

Stories about animals known to history and legend.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

Details »

Monarch, The Big Bear of Tallac (1904)

monarch the big bear.jpg book cover

The fictionalized life of a grizzly bear, who ends in captivity at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Read for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Grace Gallatin Seton Thompson
Ernest Thompson Seton

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The Natural History of the Ten Commandments (1907)

natural history of the ten commandments seton.jpg book cover

The author finds that the animal kingdom respects the natural law. Read for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): None

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Nimrod’s Wife (1907)

Nimrods Wife gallatin seton.jpg book cover

The wife of the nature writer gives her impressions of their camping adventures. Read for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Grace Gallatin Seton Thompson
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Walter King Stone

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Old Silver Grizzle the Badger (1927)

old silver grizzle the badger seton.jpg book cover

Animal histories including Old Silver Grizzle, The Squirrel, the Rabbits, Bears, The Cute Coyote, Pairie Dog and Sneak Cats.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Ernest Thompson Seton

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The Preacher of Cedar Mountain (1917)

preacher of cedar mountain seton.jpg book cover

A novel of horse racing and Methodism. Read for free online at Internet Archive.

Author(s): Ernest Thompson Seton
Illustrator(s): Clarence Rowe

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