American Originals
As the United States rose to prominence throughout the 1800s, some of its citizens became the celebrities, wits, and fashion setters of the day. What would become known as the American character arrived on the scene, thanks to such luminaries as Mark Twain, Buffalo Bill Cody, and the great showman Phineas T. Barnum.
Aaron Burr - Vice President Shot Alexander Hamilton In a Duel
Aaron Burr was constantly drawn to controversy, and his shooting of Alexander Hamilton in a duel is only part of his peculiar life story. Burr was involved in one of the most controversial presidential elections in American history, served unhappily as vice president to Thomas Jefferson, and after shooting Hamilton he embarked on an expedition to the west that led to him being charged with treason.
Aaron Burr was constantly drawn to controversy, and his shooting of Alexander Hamilton in a duel is only part of his peculiar life story. Burr was involved in one of the most controversial presidential elections in American history, served unhappily as vice president to Thomas Jefferson, and after shooting Hamilton he embarked on an expedition to the west that led to him being charged with treason.
Frederick Douglass - Life of the Former Slave and Abolitionist Leader
The life story of Frederick Douglass is in many ways emblematic of the struggle of slaves and former slaves in 19th century America. Douglas escaped from slavery, became a noted activist and author, and was the most influential African-American leader in the 1800s.
The life story of Frederick Douglass is in many ways emblematic of the struggle of slaves and former slaves in 19th century America. Douglas escaped from slavery, became a noted activist and author, and was the most influential African-American leader in the 1800s.
John Brown - Abolitionist Whose Raid at Harper's Ferry Led to Civil War
John Brown remains one of the most controversial figures of the 19th century. A fanatical abolitionist, he was fixated on using violence to eradicate slavery, killing pro-slavery settlers in Kansas before leading an audacious raid on a federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. Brown was hanged and his martyrdom helped inflame tensions and led to the American Civil War.
John Brown remains one of the most controversial figures of the 19th century. A fanatical abolitionist, he was fixated on using violence to eradicate slavery, killing pro-slavery settlers in Kansas before leading an audacious raid on a federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. Brown was hanged and his martyrdom helped inflame tensions and led to the American Civil War.
Horatio Alger
The writer Horatio Alger had a profound effect on the 19th century, as his novels instilled the values of hard work and perseverance in American youth. Yet Alger's own life was troubled and marred by a major scandal.
The writer Horatio Alger had a profound effect on the 19th century, as his novels instilled the values of hard work and perseverance in American youth. Yet Alger's own life was troubled and marred by a major scandal.
Phineas T. Barnum: An Illustrated Look at the Great Showman's Career
These vintage images depict highlights from the career of the great showman Phineas T. Barnum, an influential and beloved figure in 19th century America. His museums, shows, and circuses entertained millions of people, and the 1800s would have been a much drearier time without his creative flair and enthusiasm.
These vintage images depict highlights from the career of the great showman Phineas T. Barnum, an influential and beloved figure in 19th century America. His museums, shows, and circuses entertained millions of people, and the 1800s would have been a much drearier time without his creative flair and enthusiasm.
Images of Custer's Final Fight Became Iconic
When George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry attacked an enormous Indian camp and were wiped out, the United States was stunned. Custer had been a famous personage since his days as a dashing young cavalry officer in the Civil War, and Americans were shocked and outraged that Custer and his entire command had been killed.
When George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry attacked an enormous Indian camp and were wiped out, the United States was stunned. Custer had been a famous personage since his days as a dashing young cavalry officer in the Civil War, and Americans were shocked and outraged that Custer and his entire command had been killed.
George Armstrong Custer in the Civil War
George Armstrong Custer holds a unique place in American history. A hero to some, a villain to others, he was controversial in life and his death shocked the nation. Americans have never tired of reading or talking about Custer.
George Armstrong Custer holds a unique place in American history. A hero to some, a villain to others, he was controversial in life and his death shocked the nation. Americans have never tired of reading or talking about Custer.
Presented here are some facts, photos, and illustrations pertaining to Custer's early life and career in the Civil War.
Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, Debated Lincoln and Defended Slavery
Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois is best remembered for the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates, but he was also one of the most influential figures in the US government in the 1850s, and played a crucial role in legislation that propelled the United States toward the Civil War.
Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois is best remembered for the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates, but he was also one of the most influential figures in the US government in the 1850s, and played a crucial role in legislation that propelled the United States toward the Civil War.
Horace Greeley, Crusading Editor of the New York Tribune
Horace Greeley, founded and editor of the New York Tribune, was one of the most influential Americans of the 1800s. He battled against slavery, supported various reform causes, and even ran as a major candidate for president.
Horace Greeley, founded and editor of the New York Tribune, was one of the most influential Americans of the 1800s. He battled against slavery, supported various reform causes, and even ran as a major candidate for president.
Archbishop John Hughes
One of the most fascinating and controversial Americans of the mid-1800s was Archbishop John Hughes of New York. An Irish immigrant who worked as a gardener while attending the seminary, Hughes attained respect and power that inspired President Abraham Lincoln to dispatch him as a special envoy to Europe during a perilous time for American diplomacy.
One of the most fascinating and controversial Americans of the mid-1800s was Archbishop John Hughes of New York. An Irish immigrant who worked as a gardener while attending the seminary, Hughes attained respect and power that inspired President Abraham Lincoln to dispatch him as a special envoy to Europe during a perilous time for American diplomacy.
John Marshall, the Great Chief Justice
In the earliest years of the United States, the Supreme Court was little more than a vague concept mentioned in the Constitution. But John Marshall, a Chief Justice nominated in the final months of the presidency of John Adams, would make the Supreme Court a powerful and co-equal branch of the federal government.
In the earliest years of the United States, the Supreme Court was little more than a vague concept mentioned in the Constitution. But John Marshall, a Chief Justice nominated in the final months of the presidency of John Adams, would make the Supreme Court a powerful and co-equal branch of the federal government.
John Sutter
Johann Sutter came to America in the 1830s, made up some military credentials, and eventually became a major figure in the settlement of California. He is best remembered as the California Gold Rush began when nuggets were discovered on his property, and in keeping with his peculiar life, that stroke of luck essentially ruined him.
Johann Sutter came to America in the 1830s, made up some military credentials, and eventually became a major figure in the settlement of California. He is best remembered as the California Gold Rush began when nuggets were discovered on his property, and in keeping with his peculiar life, that stroke of luck essentially ruined him.
General Tom Thumb
Society in the 1800s was fascinated by Charles Sherwood Stratton, who was discovered by the famed showman Phineas Barnum and promoted as General Tom Thumb. In a career spanning 40 years, Tom Thumb performed across the US and Europe, met Queen Victoria and President Lincoln, and sold an estimated 20 million tickets.
Society in the 1800s was fascinated by Charles Sherwood Stratton, who was discovered by the famed showman Phineas Barnum and promoted as General Tom Thumb. In a career spanning 40 years, Tom Thumb performed across the US and Europe, met Queen Victoria and President Lincoln, and sold an estimated 20 million tickets.
Buffalo Bill Cody
William F. Cody, who would forever be known as Buffalo Bill, was a cavalry scout and buffalo hunter who became known as a great American showman. His "Wild West" show brought the thrills of the American west to eastern cities as well as to European capitals. This bio at the PBS site provides highlights of Buffalo Bill's legendary life.
William F. Cody, who would forever be known as Buffalo Bill, was a cavalry scout and buffalo hunter who became known as a great American showman. His "Wild West" show brought the thrills of the American west to eastern cities as well as to European capitals. This bio at the PBS site provides highlights of Buffalo Bill's legendary life.
Phineas T. Barnum
A lively biography of the great showman, hosted, appropriately, at the site of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
A lively biography of the great showman, hosted, appropriately, at the site of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.