Stephen Return Riggs was an American Christian missionary and linguist who dedicated his life to working among the Dakota Sioux. Born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1812, Riggs began his missionary career in 1837 at the Lac qui Parle Mission in what is now Minnesota. Over the course of several decades, he became a key figure in documenting the Dakota language, creating foundational linguistic resources that preserved the native tongue in written form.\n\nThroughout his career, Riggs focused heavily on translation and linguistic scholarship. He compiled a comprehensive Dakota grammar and dictionary, which served as essential tools for both missionaries and scholars. He also translated the New Testament into the Dakota language and later collaborated with fellow missionary Thomas Smith Williamson to complete a full translation of the Bible. His linguistic work was crucial in bridging cultural and language barriers during a period of intense westward expansion.\n\nIn addition to his linguistic and religious contributions, Riggs played a role in historical events of the region. In 1862, he served as an interpreter during the trials following the Sioux Uprising. He documented his extensive experiences and reflections on his decades of service in his autobiography, Mary and I, or Forty Years with the Sioux. Riggs died in Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1883, leaving behind a significant legacy of linguistic preservation and historical documentation.