"John Bartram was born into a Quaker farm family in colonial Pennsylvania. He considered himself a plain farmer, with no formal education beyond the local school. He had a lifelong interest in medicine and medicinal plants, and read widely. His botanical career started with a small area of his farm devoted to growing plants he found interesting; later he made contact with European botanists and gardeners interested in North American plants, and developed his hobby into a thriving business." [Wikipedia]
Summary
In his review of the book, critic R.J. Fergusson says that this biography "does more than portray the lives and works of the eminent father and son; it integrates them with their social and intellectual associates of their time; and it traces the development of the study of botany as a science. The work is scholarly; the literary style is clear and interesting; the volume should please both scientific and popular readers."
Henry William Elson (1857-1935) was a professor of history at Ohio State University. He states in the preface that he has endeavored to write this history for the general reader . He says that he has tried to include information about the lives of the people and not just politics, government and industry.
"These excerpts from ... [the author's] 'Journal' are now published for the first time by courtesy of his great-grandson, Mr. Lawrence Richardson of Boston."--Foreword signed: William Bell Wait.
"Limited edition ... no. 80 [and] 398."
Description of travel from Philadelphia to Ohio (p. 3 - 7).
xxxii p. [5]-312 p. front., illus. (incl. ports., maps) 26 x 20 cm.
Series
American Geographical Society. Special publication, no. 27
Notes
An account of the period told as if written by Thomas Pownall Keystone, a fictitious character, presenting, as a composite observer, the contempomary scene.
Bibliography: p. [248]-259. Bibliographical references included in "Notes" (p. [260]-298)
Summary
European travel narratives of America. Visitors from Europe seeking to learn about this new and different nation.
