
Majoring in history and sociology, Donald earned his bachelor degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned his PhD in 1946 under the eminent, leading Lincoln scholar, James G. Randall at the University of Illinois. Randall as a mentor had a big influence on Donald's life and career, and encouraged his protégé to write his dissertation on Lincoln's law partner, William Herndon. The dissertation eventually became his first book, Lincoln's Herndon, published in 1948. After graduating, he taught at Columbia University, Johns Hopkins and, from 1973, Harvard University. He also taught at Smith College, the University of North Wales, Princeton University, University College London and served as Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. At Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and Harvard he trained dozens of graduate students including Jean H. Baker, William J. Cooper, Jr., Michael Holt, Irwin Unger, and Ari Hoogenboom. He received the Pulitzer Prize twice (1961 and 1988), several honorary degrees, and served as president of the Southern Historical Association. Donald also served on the editorial board for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln. David H. Donald was the Charles Warren Professor of American History (emeritus from 1991) at Harvard University. He wrote over thirty books, including well received biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Wolfe and Charles Sumner. He specialized in the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, and in the history of the South.
We Are Lincoln Men" examines the significance of friendship in Abraham Lincoln's life and the role it played in his presidency. Though Lincoln had hundreds of acquaintances and dozens of admirers, he had almost no intimate friends. Behind his mask of affability and endless stream of humorous anecdotes, he maintained an inviolate reserve that only a few were ever able to penetrate. In this highly original book, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner David Herbert Donald examines, for the first time, these close friendships and explores their role in shaping Lincoln's career.
The Pulitzer-Prize winning classic and national bestseller returns! In this brilliant biography—a Pulitzer Prize—winning national bestseller—David Herbert Donald, Harvard professor emeritus, traces Sumner's life as the nation careens toward civil war. In a period when senators often exercised more influence than presidents, Senator Charles Sumner was one of the most powerful forces in the American government and remains one of the most controversial figures in American history. His uncompromising moral standards made him a lightning rod in an era fraught with conflict. Sumner's fight to end slavery made him a hero in the North and stirred outrage in the South. In what has been called the first blow of the Civil War, he was physically attacked by a colleague on the Senate floor. Unwavering and arrogant, Sumner refused to abandon the moral high ground, even if doing so meant the onslaught of the nation's most destructive war. He used his office and influence to transform the United States during the most contentious and violent period in the nation's history. Charles Sumner and the Coming of the Civil War presents a remarkably different view of our bloodiest war through an insightful reevaluation of the man who stood at its center.
David Herbert Donald, Lincoln biographer and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, has revised and updated his classic and influential book on Lincoln and the era he dominated.When Lincoln Reconsidered was first published it ushered in the process of rethinking the Civil War that continues to this day. In the third edition, David provides two important new essays, on Lincoln's patchy education—which we find was more extensive than even the great man realized—and on Lincoln's complex and conflicted relationship to the rule of law. Together with a new preface and a thoroughly updated bibliographical essay, Lincoln Reconsidered will continue to be a touchstone of Lincoln scholarship for decades to come.
Based on the papers of the Wolfe Estate, this biography reveals for the first time the personal life of the major American literary figure, Thomas Wolfe, and examines his relations with his editors, literary agents, and contemporary writers
As Lincoln led the nation into the Civil War, managing the Union war effort, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, winning reelection in 1864, and planning the Reconstruction of the South, he also led a private life, defined by his close relationship with his wife and by his devotion to his children. "Lincoln at Home" offers a view into the life of family through their written correspondence. With a brief account of their first years in the White House and the complete collection of all the known letters exchanged by Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, this elegant portrait defines the sixteenth president as a dedicated -- though often a desperately busy and distracted -- family man. "Lincoln at Home" is an intimate and rare glimpse of the president as husband and father, a cheerful man pinned to the floor while playing with his children, and a desolate man struck down with grief at the death of his son. Beyond this, we are shown a personal side of the man who managed one of the most difficult periods in American history.
A Pulitzer Prize winner's "magisterial" biography of the Civil War-era Massachusetts senator, a Radical Republican who fought for slavery's abolition (The New York Times).In his follow-up to Charles Sumner and the Coming of the Civil War, acclaimed historian David Herbert Donald examines the life of the Massachusetts legislator from 1860 to his death in 1874.As a leader of the Radical Republicans, Sumner made the abolition of slavery his primary legislative focus--yet opposed the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the US Constitution for not going far enough to guarantee full equality. His struggle to balance power and principle defined his career during the Civil War and Reconstruction, and Donald masterfully charts the senator's wavering path from fiery sectarian leader to responsible party member. In a richly detailed portrait of Sumner's role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Donald analyzes how the legislator brought his influence and political acumen to bear on an issue as dear to his heart as equal rights: international peace.Authoritative and engrossing, Charles Sumner and the Rights of Man captures a fascinating political figure at the height of his powers and brings a tumultuous period in American history to vivid life.
by David Herbert Donald
Rating: 3.9 ⭐
A unique history of Lincoln's political rise, presidency, and death as reported by the nation's most respected newspaper, with introductions and additional perspectives from two eminent Lincoln historiansThe New York Times closely covered the political career and presidency of Abraham his political rise, the early years of his presidency, the Civil War, and his assassination and its aftermath--perhaps our nation's most critical and dramatic presidency. Lincoln in the Times includes coverage of the major events in Lincoln's political life, such as his campaign, his surprising election, and his inaugurals; the State of the Union addresses, the Gettysburg Address, and the Emancipation Proclamation; the assassination and funeral. Edited and with introductions and supporting text by David Herbert Donald and Harold Holzer, the book contains vintage photographs and illustrations of Lincoln and others close to him, in the White House and on the battlefields that he visited.
Charles Sumner (1811–1874), U.S. Senator from Massachusetts for two decades, was an ardent abolitionist; a founder of the Republican Party; chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from 1861 to 1871; chief of the Radical Republicans during the Civil War and Reconstruction; Lincoln's friend and, later, Grant's nemesis; as well as an advocate for universal equality, international peace, women's suffrage, and educational and prison reform. This edition combines for the first time Charles Sumner and the Coming of the Civil War and Charles Sumner and the Rights of Man into one monumental biography that brings into brilliant focus the character and impact of one of the most controversial and enduring forces in American history.
Occasionally a book that begins as a work of scholarship becomes a great and profoundly moving human document. This life of Lincoln's friend, law partner and biographer is such a book. It has a two-fold focus: on the "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" daysthe days of Lincoln's courting, arguing, and politicking; and on Herndon's long and wracking fight to publish his biography in the face of poverty, drive, and disillusionment, it achieves the impetus and grandeur of tragedy. David Donald has given us a magnificent account of how a country lawyer became a national figure and what happened to the friend he left behind when he became president. An impressive study of mythmakers and mythmaking, this biography of William Henry Herndon, a man intimately connected to movements for abolition of slavery, temperance, religious liberalism, currency reform, and women's rights is also a sweeping picture of America just before, during, and after the Civil War.
Recounts the sectional controversies that occurred during the Jacksonian Era and the Populist Period and their effects on our economic organization, race relations, literary history, and social structure
Book by Donald, David Herbert
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
The year's most important biography -- of a leader who still speaks to our times In the bestselling tradition of Truman, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer David Herbert Donald offers a new classic in American history and biography -- a masterly account of how one man's extraordinary political acumen steered the Union to victory in the Civil War, and of how his soaring rhetoric gave meaning to that agonizing struggle for nationhood and equality. Culminating his half-century of study of Lincoln and his times, Donald brilliantly traces Lincoln's rise from humble origins to the pinnacle of the presidency. He reveals the development of the future President's character and shows how Lincoln's enormous capacity for growth enabled one of the least experienced men ever elected to high office to become a giant in the annals of American politics. And he depicts a man who was basically passive by nature, yet ambitious enough to take enormous risks and overcome repeated defe
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
To most Americans, Abraham Lincoln is an icon whose careworn image graces stamps, statues, and courthouse walls. But it is no icon who springs to life in the pages of this stunning biography. This Lincoln is a vital, energetic young man. He is also a flesh-and-blood politician, plagued by self-doubt, besieged by critics, gifted with humor, and guided by a deep affection for all Americans. A Pulitzer prizewinning author has created a vivid and very human portrait of an extraordinary man.
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
Abraham Lincoln written by David Herbert Donald who was won twice Pulitzer Prizes represents the whole life of Lincoln who is one of the greatest president s in the United States. Lincoln was born poor, little formal educated, and the multiple failures in politics bring him lofty character and strong willingness. Lincoln performs his duty with his outstanding willpower in the Civil War southern slave-owners whipped he recovers the federal government and abolishes the slavery. Lincoln was murdered when reappointed as president and the whole United States are in great distress. People keep thinking of this great president till now and forever.
by David Herbert Donald
Appears to be two volumes. Number 1 and Number 2 clearly printed under title of each volume. Text is in Korean so difficult to translate. Both books have a paper dust cover. Volume One has 476 pages and Volume Two has 479 pages.
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
by David Herbert Donald
Minor wear