1942-1998

American art historian who was world-renowned for her work in decoding the hieroglyphic language of the Maya. After an early career as an artist and studio art professor, Schele became interested in the Mayan culture after a 1970 trip to the Yucatan; she earned her Ph.D. in Latin American Studies in 1980. From her ensuing years of research, Dr. Schele developed an extensive knowledge of Mayan culture and history, and she published numerous essays, articles, and award-winning books about the subject.