“Starsh” Thlinket Indian of Saxman, Alaska
by Benjamin Alfred Haldane

[B.A. Haldane’s] formal schooling was cut short when after completing the third grade he was told by [lay missionary William] Duncan that “there was nothing more for him to learn.” Undiscouraged, he continued his education on his own by purchasing books with the wages from the salmon cannery. He trained himself in both photography and music, mastering the piano, pipe organ, cornet, trombone, and violin in addition to composing orchestral music and translating ancient Tsimshian songs to sheet music. [i]

1897 / Photograph / Dimensions not available
Sir Henry Wellcome Collection, National Archives at Seattle, WA

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[i] Passalacqua, Veronica L. 2023. “Benjamin Alfred Haldane, Frederic Ridley, Metlakahtla, Alaska. Carpenter Who Built the Girl’s Home.” Ucdavis.Edu, January 5, 2023. https://gormanmuseum.ucdavis.edu/collection-piece/benjamin-alfred-haldane-frederic-ridley-metlakahtla-alaska-carpenter-who-built