Handsome Lake (1735–1815)

American Indian religious leader, belonging to the Seneca people, who preached a combination of Christianity and indigenous traditions.

Handsome Lake became a typical victim of the arrival of white settlers. He collapsed from drink and depression 1800, and was thought to be dead. During the funeral procession, he awoke and believed he had been resurrected to be a preacher. For the next 15 years he received messages from God which stressed a combination of Christianity – as put forward by the Shakers, in particular – and American Indian traditions.