The Colonies, 1492-1750 (ePub)

Reuben Gold Thwaites (1853-1913) was an eminent American antiquarian, editor, and historian, noted for his extensive work in chronicling the early history of North America, particularly that of the trans-Allegheny West and the Mississippi Valley. Thwaites was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and later moved to Wisconsin where he served as the secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. He was a meticulous researcher and editor, best known for his contributions to Early American history, his bibliographic work, and his editorial skills which significantly contributed to the preservation of the primary sources of American history. Thwaites's influential work, 'The Colonies, 1492-1750', published in 1891, captures a vivid picture of early American colonial life and the complexity of European interactions with the New World. A scholar of remarkable breadth, Thwaites wrote with a narrative flair that made history accessible, and his scholarly contributions help shape the understanding of America's colonial period. His literary style was characterized by clear prose and thorough, yet concise, exposition of his subjects. Scholarly yet accessible, Thwaites's works continue to be cited by historians exploring colonial American history, and his labors served as a foundation for future studies in American historiography.