Bancroft, George

Ms., 1800-1891. Son of A. Bancroft, supra. An eminent historian who was United States minister to England, 1846-49, and to Pru ia and Germany, 1867-74. He was inclined to view history from the philosophic standpoint, and his political experiences gave him insight into motives. In his estimates of men he made smaller allowance for the relative values of the testimony of different periods than is now customary among historians. He paid much attention to style, but sometimes erred in regard to over-ornament. His manner, however, where not laboured, is attractive and often dramatic. The first volume of The History of the United States appeared in 1834, the second in 1837, the third in 1840, and the succeeding ones 1852-74. A revised edition was i ued in 1876, while volumes 11 and 12 of the first edition were published in 1882 as The History of the Formation of the Constitution of the United States. The latest revised edition was printed 1884-85. Minor works include Martin Van Buren to the End of his Public Career; Literary and Historical Miscellanies; Memorial Addre on Abraham Lincoln; A Plea for the Constitution of the United States wounded in the House of its Guardians. See Annual Cyclopedia, 1891; Century Magazine, vol. 11; James on’s Historical Writing in America, pp. 100-110. Ap. Har.