ERNEST SETON-THOMPSON - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 45733

ERNEST SETON-THOMPSON
Small Sepia publicity photograph of Ernest Seton-Thompson wearing a suit and tie.
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Wm A Temple/with appreciation & thanks/for his clever sketch/Ernest Thompson Seton/[He has drawn his characteristic wolf's paw print below his signature]". Sepia, 3¼x6. Below his signature he has drawn his characteristic wolf's paw. Born in England, raised in Canada, ERNEST SETON-THOMPSON (1860-1946) was a popular writer and illustrator of youth-oriented books on nature and wood lore. He was active in the founding of the Boy Scouts, serving as Chief Scout (1910-1915). However, he broke with other scout leaders over two issues: the Boy Scouts' military style and their reluctance to incorporate younger boys ("Cub Scouts") into the organization, with the bear cub as symbol.  In 1915, Seton-Thompson formed a rival youth movement, the Woodcraft League, but of course Scouting later did adopt his cub scout idea. He was born Ernest Seton Thompson.  When he learned that his Scottish ancestors, in hiding after the Battle of Culloden (1746) had adopted the English name of Thompson to hide themselves, he resolved to reassume the old family name.  Out of deference to his mother, he wrote as Ernest Seton-Thompson until her death in 1897. Thereafter, he adopted the name of Ernest T. Seton. Lightly soiled. Mounting paper remnants and pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso (no show through). Otherwise, fine condition.