Richard Henry Pratt

Richard Henry Pratt
Pratt as a United States Army lieutenant in 1879
Born(1840-12-06)December 6, 1840
Rushford, New York
DiedMarch 15, 1924(1924-03-15) (aged 83)
Letterman Army Hospital, California
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Union
Service / branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1861–1903
Rank Brigadier-General (Regular Army)
Captain (United States Volunteers)
CommandsCarlisle Indian Industrial School
Spouse(s)Anna Laura
Signature

Brigadier-General Richard Henry Pratt (December 6, 1840 – March 15, 1924)[1] was a United States Army officer who founded and was longtime superintendent of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Pratt is associated with the first recorded use of the word "racism," which he used in 1902 to criticize racial segregation in the United States. He is also known for using the phrase "kill the Indian, save the man" in reference to the ethos of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and efforts to forcibly assimilate Native Americans into white American culture.[2]

  1. ^ K.B. Kueteman. "From Warrior to Saint: The life of David Pendelton Oakerhater". Oklahoma State. Archived from the original on 2008-07-23.
  2. ^ Gene Demby. The Ugly, Fascinating History Of The Word 'Racism'. NPR.org. January 6, 2014. Accessed November 11, 2016.