John Lothrop Motley, A Memoir — Complete

"A Memoir — Complete" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is a biographical narrative that recounts the life of John Lothrop Motley, an American historian and diplomat, by examining his family background, formative years, and intellectual growth. The narrative begins by establishing Motley's roots, detailing his family's immigration from Ireland to America and then shifts to Motley's childhood in Dorchester, Massachusetts, describing his fragile health, passion for reading, and early talent for dramatic storytelling. Through stories shared by friends and family, the memoir reveals traits of sensitivity and honesty that defined his personality as it transitions to Motley's time at Harvard, showing a mix of academic excellence and youthful indiscretions, while setting the stage for his future achievements in the fields of history and literature.