Biography

Ephraim Squier was born in Bethlehem, NY. In his youth he worked on a farm, studied engineering, and was interested in Americn antiquities. He was also a journalist, and wrote for Vol I of the "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge." In 1849 he was appointed "special charge d'affaires" to all the Central American States, and in 1849 he negotiated treaties with Nicaragua, Honduras, and San Salvador. In 1863 he was appointed U.S. commissioner to Peru. In 1868 he was appointed consul-general of Honduras, and in 1871 he was elected the first president of the Anthropological institute of New York. He wrote numerous official reports, scientific papers, and books.