William Edmond Gates (December 8, 1863 – April 24, 1940)[1] was an American Mayanist.
[2] Gates studied Mayan-based languages like Yucatec Maya, Ch'olti', Huastec and Q'eqchi'.
Works and archives related to Gates reside in the collections of Brigham Young University.
He started working for the Archaeology Commission of the Maryland Academy of Science as a consultant.
This is credited with solidifying that the Mayan culture was older than originally thought.
In Charlottesville, Gates studied the Kʼicheʼ language using a wave writer.
That year, Tulane University bought half of his Mayan archives.
Gates would, by 1930, sell his farm in Charlottesville, allowing him to sustain his research.
He was also highly active in developing education and land policies while working for the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1934.
[4] Princeton University acquired the other half of Gates Mayan archives in 1936.