This definitive biography of American historian and statesman George Bancroft offers readers a detailed look at his life and work. From his influential 'History of the United States' to his political career as Secretary of the Navy and Minister to Great Britain, Bancroft was a key figure in shaping American history during the 19th century. Edited by Bancroft's friend and colleague M. A. De Wolfe Howe, this book remains an essential resource for scholars and history enthusiasts alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.