Sketches and Studies

"Sketches and Studies" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a collection of biographical sketches and essays. It offers an intimate look into the life of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, exploring his origins, early life, and path in politics, as well as themes of character and integrity. Hawthorne's preface reveals his initial reluctance to write about politics due to his lack of affiliations, then goes on to describe Pierce's New Hampshire upbringing. The story recounts Pierce's youth, education, and rise in the political world, emphasizing his qualities, ambitions, and the impact of his father's moral and democratic teachings.