Francis Parkman

Date of Birth: September 16, 1823

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: November 8, 1893

Biography

Francis Parkman was an eminent American historian born on September 16, 1823, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for his extensive works on the American frontier, particularly his seven-volume series “France and England in North America,” which covers the colonial era’s historical events. Parkman was educated at Harvard University, where his interest in history and adventure began to take shape. Despite facing severe health issues, including partial blindness and chronic pain, Parkman meticulously researched and wrote some of the most enduring chronicles of American history. After graduating from Harvard in 1844, Parkman embarked on an epic journey along the Oregon Trail, which later became the subject of his popular book, “The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life.” His dedication to capturing the essence of the historical periods he wrote about led him to live among Native American tribes and endure harsh conditions. Parkman’s works are celebrated not just for their historical accuracy but also for their vivid storytelling and rich detail. Parkman was a founding member of the Archaeological Institute of America and held a professorship at Harvard, where he influenced future generations of historians. He remained active in the field of history until his death on November 8, 1893. His legacy continues to be honored through various awards and institutions named after him.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Parkman

1. Francis Parkman traveled extensively along the Oregon Trail in 1846, despite suffering from severe health issues.

2. He spent time living with the Sioux tribe to gain firsthand knowledge for his historical writings.

3. Parkman wrote much of his work while experiencing partial blindness, dictating his texts to an assistant.

4. He was a founding member of the Archaeological Institute of America.

5. Parkman’s “France and England in North America” is considered one of the greatest achievements in historical literature.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Parkman

1. “A bold onset is half the battle.”

2. “The past itself, as historical change continues to accelerate, has become the most surreal of subjects—making it possible to see a new beauty in what is vanishing.”

3. “Not in vain is Ireland pouring itself all over the West. The Irish, with their red hair and tender hearts, are to the West what the Jews are to civilization.”

4. “The historian is, by definition, an unsuccessful novelist.”

5. “Scarcely had I passed the Dorchester marshes when a warm and sunny afternoon began to brighten the landscape, and the Boston suburbs, first a wilderness, then a village, and now a city, began to display themselves in the distance.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The exact net worth of Francis Parkman is not well-documented, but he achieved significant wealth through his published works and his family’s affluence.