George Catlin (1796-1873) abandoned his law practice to live among the Plains Indians of North America, acquiring their languages and studying their habits, customs, and mode of life. His huge collection of pictures, artifacts, and findings were exhibited around the United States and Europe to great acclaim.

Peter Matthiessen was the cofounder of the Paris Review and is the author of numerous works of nonfiction, including In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Indian Country, and The Snow Leopard, winner of the National Book Award.