History of the United States, or, Republic of America

Instructional history book written by “one of the most influential educators in the nineteenth-century United States” – Susan Schulten

“In comparison with these old and wily nations, the character of America is that of youthful simplicity, of maiden purity; and her future statesmen will say, as he reads the story, my country was the most virtuous among the nations; this is her pride – not the extent of her domains, or the wealth of her revenue. This is the source of that greatness, which it becomes her sons to preserve; and when manhood shall have placed me among her guardians, I will watch that purity with jealous tenderness, and sooner part with existence, than be made the instrument of her degradation.” – Preface.

This marvelous textbook on American history was authored by Emma Willard and published in Philadelphia by A.S. Barnes & Co. in 1843. Its 400+ pages provide a fascinating contemporary window into American self-identity during a period of dramatic change across the nation.

A carefully curated narrative is divided into four separate parts, represented by a large tree opposite the title page titled Chronographical Plan of Willard’s History of the United States. Dates and brief summaries of important events in the margins provide a useful reference tool. Eleven additional maps show the progression of settlement and growth of the United States, beginning with the ‘Locations & Wanderings of the Aborigines” (Map 1) to “1841 Showing the Dates of the first settlement of the old Thirteen U.S. States and the admission into the union of the remainder” (Map 11).

Emma Willard was an influential reformer and strong advocate for women’s education during the 19th century. The 16th of 17 children, Emma’s inquisitive mind was encouraged from a young age. She became a teacher at the age of 17 and opened a female seminary in her own home in 1814, when she was just 26.

This was just the beginning of her important educational career, which continued with the founding of Troy Female Seminary, the first school in the U.S. to focus on higher education for women, in 1821. While working at the academy, she wrote a number of influential educational texts, including the example seen here.

Sources: Connecticut History; Science Direct;