Easton Press Francis Parkman books:
The Oregon Trail - 1980
The Battle for North America - 1987
Franklin Library Francis Parkman books:
The Oregon Trail - World's Best Loved Books - 1981
The Oregon Trail - 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature - 1983
Francis Parkman (1823-1893) was an American author and historian who was born in Boston Massachusetts. He was a student of law, and graduated from Harvard University in 1844. Following his education, Francis Parkman traveled in Europe briefly and, upon returning to America, he traveled west to explore the American Rocky Mountains. He spent time with the Dakota Indians, and fell ill during the time with them. His most famous book The Oregon Trail was written after a hard journey from Missouri to Oregon. While The Oregon Trail is not written as an account of this journey, it does contain many of his experiences. Following his success with The Oregon Trail in 1849, Francis Parkman wrote and published another of his famous books The Conspiracy of Pontiac in 1851. His writing following this period earned him recognition as an authority in the topic of France's struggling position in America. The Francis Parkman books on the French struggle in America are written as a series, and include the following titles:
The Pioneers of France in the New World - 1865
The Jesuits in North America - 1867
La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West - 1869
The Old Regime in Canada - 1874
Count Frontenac and the new France under Louis XIV - 1877
Montcalm and Wolfe - 1884
A Half Century of Conflict - 1893
Francis Parkman also wrote his Historic Handbook of the Northern Tour in 1885. Following the many years of writing, his eyesight had deteriorated to the point of no longer being able to read, and he continued to be in poor health.
Today Francis Parkman is viewed as an important figure in American literature who made valuable contributions as an American historian. He is also respected for his adventure seeking way of finding material for his historical writings. Through out his life, he not only traveled extensively in North America but also traveled several times to Europe. Francis Parkman also traveled to all locations of importance discussed in The Oregon Trail and his other books. His life story as an author is often viewed as one of heroic adventure.