Marah Ellis Ryan

Who was Marah Ellis Ryan?

Marah Ellis Ryan was born either February 27, 1860 or 1866. As Ellis Martin, she married Samuel Erwin Ryan, an Irish actor and comedian, in 1883. She died July 11, 1934.

She was a popular author, actress and activist for Native Americans at the turn of the 20th century.

The New York Times published this obituary:

Los Angeles, July 11 —Mrs. Marah Ellis Ryan, writer and authority on Indians, died today at her home in the Silver Lake district from encephalitis at the age of 68. Mrs. Ryan went to live among the Hopi Indians twenty-five years ago and claimed to be the only white woman ever admitted to the secret religious rites. She was noted as an authority on the tribal life of the Indians in the United States and Mexico. Mrs. Ryan was born in Butler County, Pa., a daughter of Graham and Sidney Mechling Martin. As a young woman she wrote a few poems and stories under the pen-name of “Ellis Martin.” In 1883 she married S. Erwan Ryan of New York, an actor, who died several years ago. Among the many books by Mrs. Ryan issued over a period of thirty-six years, 1889-1925, were the following: “In Love’s Domain,” “Squaw Eloise,” “A Flower of France,” “That Girl Montana,” “Indian Love Letters,” “The Woman of Twilight,” “The House of the Dawn,” “Treasure Trail,” and “The Dancer of Tuluum.”