Charles McLean Andrews

Charles McLean Andrews
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Name	Charles McLean Andrews
Birth date	February 22, 1863
Birth place	Wethersfield, Connecticut
Death date	September 9, 1943
Death place	New Haven, Connecticut
Nationality	American
Occupation	Historian
Employer	Yale University

Charles McLean Andrews was a renowned American historian who made significant contributions to the field of colonial history in the United States. He is best known for his work on the British Empire and its relationship with the American colonies, particularly in the context of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Andrews' research and writings were heavily influenced by his time at Yale University, where he studied under prominent historians such as Herbert Baxter Adams and John William Burgess. His work was also shaped by his interactions with other notable historians, including Frederick Jackson Turner and Albert Bushnell Hart.

● Early Life and Education

Charles McLean Andrews was born on February 22, 1863, in Wethersfield, Connecticut, to a family of modest means. He developed an interest in history at an early age, which was encouraged by his parents and teachers at Wethersfield High School. Andrews went on to attend Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he studied classics and history under the guidance of William Graham Sumner. After graduating from Trinity College in 1884, Andrews pursued further studies at Baltimore City College and later at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his Ph.D. in history in 1889. During his time at Johns Hopkins University, Andrews was heavily influenced by the works of Leopold von Ranke and Theodor Mommsen, which shaped his approach to historical research.

● Career

Andrews began his academic career as a professor of history at Bryn Mawr College in 1889, where he taught courses on European history and American history. In 1907, he joined the faculty at Yale University, where he became a prominent figure in the history department. Andrews' research focused on the colonial history of the United States, with a particular emphasis on the British Empire and its relationship with the American colonies. He was a prolific writer and published numerous articles and books on topics such as the Navigation Acts, the French and Indian War, and the American Revolution. Andrews' work was widely respected by his peers, including George Louis Beer, Charles Homer Haskins, and Edward Channing.

● Major Works

Andrews' most notable works include The Colonial Period of American History, a four-volume series that explores the colonial history of the United States from the early 17th century to the American Revolution. He also wrote The Colonial Background of the American Revolution, which examines the British Empire's policies towards the American colonies in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Additionally, Andrews published numerous articles in journals such as the American Historical Review and the Journal of Modern History, on topics such as the Treaty of Paris and the Proclamation of 1763. His work was widely praised by contemporaries, including James Truslow Adams and Samuel Eliot Morison.

● Awards and Legacy

Andrews received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of history. He was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1918 and served as the president of the American Historical Association from 1924 to 1925. Andrews was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for history in 1935 for his work on The Colonial Period of American History. His legacy continues to be felt in the field of colonial history, with many historians, including Bernard Bailyn and Gordon Wood, drawing on his research and insights. Andrews' work has also been recognized by institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

● Personal Life

Andrews was married to Eva Munson Andrews and had two children, Charles McLean Andrews Jr. and Elizabeth Andrews. He was known for his love of literature and music, and was an avid collector of rare books and manuscripts. Andrews was also a member of several historical societies, including the Society of Colonial Wars and the Sons of the American Revolution. He passed away on September 9, 1943, in New Haven, Connecticut, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prominent historians of his generation, with a lasting impact on the field of colonial history and the study of the American Revolution. Category:Historians