William Hickling Prescott

"William Hickling Prescott" by Harry Thurston Peck is a biography that explores the life and achievements of the American historian William Hickling Prescott, examining his upbringing, struggles, and the vibrant intellectual landscape of his era. It introduces Prescott within the setting of early 19th-century America, describing the different literary atmospheres of the South, Middle, and New England regions. It emphasizes how his family and education shaped his path, highlighting the cultural differences in the United States and suggesting Prescott's future impact on American literature by challenging the restrictions of traditional Puritan thought and fostering a more expressive writing style. These initial chapters portray Prescott as a key figure in American historical writing and as someone who helped pave the way for future literary movements.