Books in the Cambridge Library Collection - North American History series

Conway's two-volume biography of revolutionary author Thomas Paine (1737-1809) did much to inspire a reassessment of Paine's importance in the 'age of revolutions'. Paine's political pamphlets influenced the American Declaration of Independence, and he was later a member of the French Convention, voting against the execution of Louis XVI.

Conway's 1904 Autobiography is a fascinating account of the life and work of an American proponent of anti-slavery, free religion, social reform and women's suffrage. Depicting the age and its foremost thinkers, it features the author's friendships with such figures as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thomas Carlyle.

Published in 1862, this two-volume work is Anthony Trollope's first-hand account of North American culture during the American Civil War. Volume 1 focuses on Canada and the northern United States, in particular Boston, New England and New York. It also discusses women's rights and American education and religion.

First published in 1863, this two-volume work by the British journalist William Howard Russell (1820-1907) describes his experiences in America at the start of the Civil War. It records his impressions of the rival northern and southern states, their leaders and citizens, during a landmark period in America's history.

Naval officer Thomas Southey (1777-1838) was the younger brother of Robert Southey, Romantic poet and historian, to whom this three-volume work is dedicated. Published in 1827, it covers the period from Columbus to 1816, drawing on extensive reading as well as Southey's own experiences while stationed in the Caribbean.

Volume 1 of this 1846 work contains an account of the voyage to Newfoundland of Sir Richard Levinge (1811-84), army officer and sportsman, and his experiences on the eastern seaboard of Canada and the United States, conveying the dangers and attractions of the area for the traveller and hunter.

In 1839 the British writer James Silk Buckingham travelled through the southern USA to investigate the practice of slavery. This two-volume work, published in 1842, describes his findings within the framework of a travel narrative. It covers a wide variety of industries as well as economic, social and political debates.

First published in 1811, and here reissued in its 'corrected and improved' second edition (1814), John Lambert's Travels is packed with fascinating descriptions and lively anecdotes. Volume 1 describes Newfoundland and Quebec, the French, British and Native American communities, trade, religion, and exotic foods including maple sugar and 'stinking cheese'.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) is best known as an outstanding statesman and leader. First published in 1874, this three-volume work was compiled entirely from Franklin's own writings. Volume 1 contains Franklin's autobiography (to 1857), and also recounts his experiments with lightning conductors and his examination before the House of Commons.

Scottish-born journalist Alexander Mackay (1808-52) spent much of his career in North America. In 1846-7 he visited the United States again. This three-volume work, published in 1849, recounts his experiences and describes America's vibrant society and prosperous economy. Volume 1 focuses on New York, Philadelphia and Washington.

Laudatory and disparaging, detailed and generalizing, describing political centers and societal margins, Grattan's 1859 work vividly illustrates nineteenth-century America. Sharing eyewitness accounts and moral reflections, Volume 1 describes his first impressions of the antebellum United States, life in New England, and issues ranging from political parties to domestic servants.

The American Romantic artist George Catlin (1796-1872) travelled widely during the 1830s, documenting the vanishing cultures of the Native Americans. In 1841 he published this two-volume account of his experiences, including over 300 drawings of people, artifacts, and animals. Volume 1 focuses on the Crow, Blackfeet and Mandan peoples.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third United States President (1801-9) and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. First published in 1853, Volume 1 of a nine-volume edition of his writings includes his autobiography and letters written up to and during his 1784-9 mission to Europe.

Captain Basil Hall (1788-1844) was a Scottish seaman and travel writer. These volumes, first published in 1829, contain his detailed and controversial account of his journey across America and Canada between 1827 and 1828, providing a fascinating description of contemporary social conditions and political tensions in North America.

In 1834-5 the English geologist George William Featherstonhaugh (1780-1866) travelled from the East Coast of the US to the Arkansas territory. Published in 1844, this two-volume travelogue vividly records the landscape, natural history and society of the southern slave states. Volume 1 covers Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri.

First published in 1841, these letters from American statesman John Adams (1735-1826) to his wife reveal Adams' reactions to world events in the context of the creation of the United States as a nation. Volume 1 covers the early years of Adams' political career, from 1774 to 1777.

Published in 1852, this chronicle of pioneer life in Canada is notable for its unsentimental and frank account. In contrast to similar works of the time, it emphasises not only the triumphs but also the tribulations as the author's family begin new lives as immigrants and farmers.

Anna Jameson (1794-1860) was an inspirational figure to young nineteenth-century feminists. The publication of this three-volume book in 1838 secured her growing literary reputation. It records her impressions of the Great Lakes region, and includes literary reflections, particularly on the German Romantics. Volume 1 focuses on Ontario in winter.

James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855), traveller and writer, left for North America in 1837 and spent nearly four years there. He visited every state except Florida and Arkansas, recounting his experiences in this three-volume work, published in 1841. Volume 1 focuses on his time in New York, Washington and Baltimore.

Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) is remembered today as a novelist, but also wrote non-fiction. He spent 1837-8 travelling in North America, and published six volumes of observations in 1839. He was fascinated by the drive of Americans, but considered the country and people too heterogeneous to form a 'nation'.

Finnish-Swedish botanist Peter Kalm (1716-79) forged important scientific links between his country and England and North America through his extensive travels in and notes about the latter, which were translated into English via German and published in three volumes in 1770-1.

The lawyer John Adams (1735-1826) became a central figure in the American Revolution and is regarded as a father of the United States Constitution. Published in 1850-6, this collection includes diaries, correspondence and essays. Volume 7 focuses on Adams' 1777-82 mission to negotiate a treaty with Britain.

The Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806 to the west coast of America was commissioned by President Jefferson to survey the newly acquired territory of Louisiana. Their mapping of the Missouri river and establishment of relations with native tribes were of vital importance to the westward settlement of America.

George Combe (1788-1858) was an influential British phrenologist. These volumes, first published in 1841, contain Combe's account of a phrenological lecture tour he undertook in the United States between 1838-1840, and provide valuable details concerning nineteenth-century American society. Volume 1 covers his stay in New England.

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) was a British writer and scholar. In 1834 Martineau embarked on a two year tour of America. Written as a travel book, these volumes contain vivid descriptions of America with insights into the construction of American society. Volume 1 covers New York to Washington D.C.

Appointed Major General in 1775, George Washington was one of the most significant witnesses to the American Revolutionary War. Published in 1795, Volume 1 of these letters to Congress provides unique insights into the military strategies and political wrangling that characterized the first eighteen months of the conflict.

The 'Travelling Bachelor' who is named as author on the original title page of this two-volume work is in fact James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851). In the Notions of the Americans, Cooper's purpose was to reveal this brand-new nation to his own countrymen as well as to Europeans.

Published in 1833, Men and Manners in America serves as a discerning and thorough study of the beginnings of American democracy, and as a delightfully unintended example of the 'prejudices natural to an [nineteenth- century] Englishman'. Volume 1 describes Hamilton's experiences of New York, Boston, New England, and Philadelphia.

Each of the 119 landscape engravings in this two-volume book is accompanied by a short essay. The authors' intention is to bring to the reader at home the sensations of travel which 'those whose lot is domestic and retired' would never be in a position to experience for themselves.

The writer Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-85) campaigned strongly for Native American rights. Her popular novel Ramona (1884) emerged out of her passionate seeking of justice for these persecuted peoples. This 1881 publication introduces seven major tribes, their land claims, and the history of broken treaties and massacres they had suffered.