George Bancroft collection, 1606-1887.

Links

• View catalog record

Creator

Bancroft, George, 1800-1891. col

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division

Extent

• Originals: 60 linear feet (432 v. and 15 boxes).

Access Restrictions

Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.

Scope/Contents Note

Collection consists of transcripts (and some originals) ofletters, dispatches, statistical data, journals, minutes of proceedings, and other papers culled from American, British and European sources by George Bancroft in the course of research for his historical works. Bulk of the collection reflects the economic, political, military, anddiplomatic relations between Great Britain and its North American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly the period leading up to the American Revolution of 1775-1783, the war itself, and the immediateaftermath of the war culminating in the writing and adoption of the U.S. Constitution. There are materials on the presidencies of George Washington and James K. Polk, and the 1872 dispute between Great Britain and U.S. over the water boundary between the U.S. and British Columbia. Also, records dealing with relations in the 18th century between the U.S. and continental European countries, and various European countries with each other (especially Prussia, Austria, France, Spain, and Great Britain).

Biographical/Historical Note

George Bancroft (1800-1891) was an American historian, diplomat and public official who wrote the ten-volume History of the United States. Bancroft's positions included Collector of the Port of Boston, Secretary of theNavy under Polk, Minister to Great Britain from 1846 to 1849, and Minister to Germany from 1867 to 1874. In addition to History of the United States, Bancroft wrote other historical studies and biographies.

Controlled Access Terms

• United States. Constitution.
• Hessian mercenaries -- Diaries.
• Hessian mercenaries -- United States -- Sources.
• International relations -- 18th century.
• Canada -- Boundaries -- United States.
• Europe -- Foreign relations -- United States.
• Great Britain -- Colonies -- America.
• Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- United States.
• Great Britain -- History -- Stuarts, 1603-1714.
• Great Britain -- History -- 1714-1837.
• United States -- Boundaries -- Canada.
• United States -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain.
• United States -- Foreign relations -- Europe.
• United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
• United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.
• United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Participation, German.
• United States -- Politics and government -- 1789-1809.
• United States -- Politics and government -- 1845-1849.
• Diaries.
• Dispatches.

Additional Creator Names

• Adams, John, 1735-1826.
• Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848.
• Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803.
• Bernard, Francis, Sir, 1712-1779.
• Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792.
• Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797.
• Colden, Cadwallader, 1688-1776.
• Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790.
• Hawley, Joseph, 1723-1788.
• Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792.
• Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849.
• Riedesel, Friedrich Adolf, Freiherr von, 1738-1800.
• Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804.
• Washington, George, 1732-1799.
• Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796.