Frederic L. Paxson

Frederic L. Paxson was an influential American historian who specialized in the history of the American West and frontier development. He taught at several prestigious institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Madison and made significant contributions to the field of Western American history. Paxson's most notable work, "The Last American Frontier" (1910), examined the closing of the American frontier and its impact on national development. His research and writing helped establish Western history as a distinct academic field, earning him the Pulitzer Prize in History in 1924 for his book "History of the American Frontier, 1763-1893." At the University of Pennsylvania, Paxson completed his doctoral thesis on "Independence of the South American Republics: A Study in Recognition and Foreign Policy" under the guidance of Albert Bushnell Hart and John Bach McMaster. Later in his career, he contributed significantly to the study of recent American history through his work on World War I and its effects on American society. During World War I, Paxson served on the Committee on Public Information and later wrote "America at War, 1917-1918," which provided a comprehensive analysis of American society during the war period. His methodical approach to historical research and emphasis on social and economic factors in Western expansion influenced subsequent generations of historians.

Limited reader reviews and ratings exist online for Frederic L. Paxson's works, as most were published in the early 1900s. What readers liked: - Academic readers value the detailed research and primary source documentation in "History of the American Frontier" - Several reviewers note his clear writing style and thorough analysis in "The Last American Frontier" - History students appreciate his systematic coverage of Western expansion What readers disliked: - Some modern readers find his early 20th century writing style dense and dated - A few reviewers mention that newer scholarship has updated or challenged some of his conclusions - Limited maps and visual aids in most editions Available ratings: Goodreads (very limited data): - "The Last American Frontier": 3.5/5 (4 ratings) - "History of the American Frontier": No ratings - "America at War": No ratings Most reviews come from academic journals rather than general readers. Few public reviews exist on major retail or review sites.

The Last American Frontier (1910) A comprehensive examination of the closing of the American frontier and its significance in national development.

History of the American Frontier, 1763-1893 (1924) A Pulitzer Prize-winning analysis of American frontier development spanning from the French and Indian War to the end of the frontier era.

America at War, 1917-1918 (1939) A detailed study of American society and its transformations during World War I.

Independence of the South American Republics: A Study in Recognition and Foreign Policy (1903) A doctoral thesis examining the process and politics behind the recognition of South American independence.

Recent History of the United States (1921) A systematic examination of American history from the end of Reconstruction through World War I.

The New Nation (1915) An analysis of American development and nation-building in the period following the Civil War.

Frederick Jackson Turner - Turner's frontier thesis complements Paxson's work on Western expansion and the closing of the American frontier. His writings focus on how the frontier shaped American democracy and national character.

Ray Allen Billington - Billington continued the scholarly tradition of Western American history established by Paxson. His work "Westward Expansion" examines the frontier's development from colonial times through the 1890s.

Herbert Eugene Bolton - Bolton developed the concept of the Spanish Borderlands and expanded understanding of the American West beyond Anglo-American perspectives. His research covers Spanish colonial influence in North America, providing context to Paxson's Anglo-centric frontier narrative.

Walter Prescott Webb - Webb's analysis of the Great Plains region builds upon Paxson's frontier studies. His work "The Great Plains" examines how geography shaped Western development and institutions.

Bernard DeVoto - DeVoto's historical works on Western expansion parallel Paxson's focus on frontier development. His trilogy on Western expansion covers the same period as Paxson's research but incorporates environmental and geographical perspectives.