Sequoyah
c. 1770–1843 — Cherokee Nation
Era: Modern
Brilliance: 9/10 | Stewardship: 8/10 | Composite Index: 72
The only person to single-handedly create a writing system.
"The white man's language is a gift of talking leaves."
Biography
Without being literate in any language, spent 12 years creating the Cherokee syllabary. Initially accused of witchcraft. Cherokee literacy rates quickly surpassed surrounding settlers.
Key Facts
- Only person to single-handedly create a writing system
- 12 years to develop Cherokee syllabary
- Cherokee literacy surpassed surrounding settlers
- Cherokee Phoenix — first Native American newspaper
- Giant sequoia tree named for him
He couldn't read any language. So he invented one.
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