Frederick Jackson Turner
- Born:
- November 20, 1861, Portage, Wisconsin, USA
- Died:
- March 14, 1932, Pasadena, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Historian
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1884.
- Earned a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1890.
- His doctoral dissertation focused on the fur trade in Wisconsin.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin from 1892 to 1910.
- Professor of History at Harvard University from 1910 to 1924.
- President of the American Historical Association in 1910.
- Best known for his "Frontier Thesis," which argued that the frontier shaped American character and institutions.
- His ideas influenced a generation of American historians.
Notable Works
- "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" (1893), the presentation that introduced the Frontier Thesis. A common search term to access it is 'frederick jackson turner frontier thesis pdf'.
- The Frontier in American History (1920), a collection of essays expanding on the Frontier Thesis.
- The Significance of Sections in American History (1932), published posthumously and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Legacy and Impact
Frederick Jackson Turner's Frontier Thesis profoundly shaped the study of American history. Although criticized and debated, it remains a central point of reference for understanding American development. His emphasis on the frontier's role in fostering democracy, individualism, and nationalism continues to resonate in historical scholarship.