John Griffith Edwards self-portrait

Collection — Folder: OS 01

Identifier: MS-0195

John Griffith Edwards self-portrait

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Scope and Contents Note

This collection contains a self-portrait pencil sketch with a note.

Dates

Creation: 1918 January 22

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to Washington College. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Washington College as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical Information

John Griffith Edwards (1855-1945) was born in Wales and became known as the “Sheep King.” He emigrated to Wyoming in 1871 to start a cattle business. After the Ute Indian War of 1879, he switched to sheep and became a revered or reviled figure in the “cattle wars.” He moved to Oregon and focused on his sheep breeding program at Hay Creek Ranch. He sold the ranch in 1910 and traveled to Russia, on the eve of the Russian Revolution, to promote his knowledge of sheep. He joined the Red Cross and was in France during World War I. In 1925, he returned to Oregon and built a mansion. In his retirement, he enjoyed painting and sculpting. He passed away in 1945.