Tanner, John, 1780?-1847

A narrative of the captivity and adventures of John Tanner, (U.S. interpreter at the Saut de Ste. Marie,)
Book 1830

Summary: John Tanner, known also by his Ojibwe name Shaw-shaw-wa-ne-ba-se, was captured by Odawa Indians as a child after his family had homesteaded on the Ohio River in present-day Kentucky. He grew up among the Odawa and Ojibwe nations, becoming fully acculturated and learning the Saulteaux language. He married an Ojibwe woman, served as a guide for European fur traders, and worked as an interpreter. His story of life with the Ojibwe was published in 1830. Titled A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner, it was a popular success and remains an important historical record. Wikipedia
Gender or Sex: Male [1][4][5][6]; Unknown [2]
Born: 1780 [2][6]
Birth Place: Kentucky [6]
Died: 1846 [6]; 1847 [2]
Country: United States [2]
Language: English [3]
Occupation: writer [6]
Yale LUX: Entity [6]
American National Biography: Biography (requires subscription) [6]

Sources: 1. VIAF; 2. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (Germany); 3. Bibliothèque nationale de France; 4. Library of Congress; 5. National Library and Archives of Québec; 6. Wikidata

Last updated Dec 20, 2025