Francis Parkman Quotes

A collection of quotes by Francis Parkman.

Francis Parkman (1823-1893) was an American historian, writer, and horticulturist known for his influential works on the history of early America, particularly the French colonization efforts in North America. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Parkman came from a prominent New England family and was educated at Harvard University.

Despite suffering from poor health, Parkman embarked on a series of extensive research expeditions to the western frontier of the United States and Canada. These journeys allowed him to gather valuable firsthand knowledge and insights into the landscapes and peoples he would later write about. His fieldwork and meticulous research distinguished him as one of the foremost historians of his time.

Parkman's most renowned works include the seven-volume masterwork "France and England in North America," published between 1865 and 1892. This comprehensive historical narrative chronicles the struggles and conflicts between the French and English empires in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. His vivid storytelling, attention to detail, and ability to recreate historical events with colorful descriptions earned him critical acclaim.

Beyond his historical pursuits, Parkman was an avid horticulturist and dedicated much of his later life to cultivating roses at his estate near Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Francis Parkman's contributions to American historiography and his ability to bring the past to life through his writings have solidified his enduring legacy as one of the most important figures in American historical literature.