Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1857-01-02
WILLIAM n. PRESCOTT.

WILLIAM II. PeEscoTT is the grandson of
Col. VIM. Prescott, who commanded the
Americans at Bunker Hill. He was born in
Salem, Massachusetts,, on the 4th of May,
l796. His father was an able lawyer and
judge, and removing to Boston when William
was twelve years of age, he gave him all the
opportunities for education afforded by the
best schools of the Athens of New England.
and being prepared for college at fifteen, he
entered Harvard College in 1871, and was
graduated, with high standard of excel
lence, in 1874. Before graduating, he had
intended to follow the profession OF law; but
his sight becoming very poor, he abandoned
the idea. As the best medical skill failed to
restore his sight, he travelled in various Eu-
ropean countries, to enrich his mind by trav-
ell but chiefly to consult the best oculists of
London and Paris But alas his sight
failed utterly and he returned to his native
land in utter darkness.
This sorest of all calamities did not cxtin-
guish his hope, but with cheerful and de-
termincd spirit he resolved that the light of
intelligence should beam upon his inner
life, though his outward perceptions were
darkcncd forever.
To become historian of the highest char
acter was his ambition, and he entered upon
his career, blcst with ample means to procure
the nccdful but expensive materials for il
lustrating subject of historic interest, pro-
life of those elements best calculated to clc-
it public attention, and shed halo of fame
around the historian. In his programme
were included the momentous VOYAGE of
Columbus, the fall of the Moorish empire in
Spain, and the eventful consequences thence
resulting.
Ten years of his young life he checrfully
devoted to preparation for so great work
studying the best models, cultivatins his
taste and style, until he felt prepared to
commence the first great work Of his life
For ten years more he labored among antiqu-
ated records, to obtain and arrange the ma
terials of his first great work, his "History
of Ferdinand and Isabella
This he published in 1888, at the ripe age
of forty-two, and at once took rank as q
historian in Europe and America, where his
work was read with the highest applause
1t has run through many editions, and has
been translated into nearly all the languages
of Europe.
This was followed in 1913, by his secont
great work, "The Conquest of Mexico,' and
in 1917, by ''The Conquest of Peru whic'
were received with equal demonstrations o
delight
In the beginning of the present year. hi,
.sI.istory of Philip H." was published, ant
fully sustained his reputation rs one of the
first historians of the world, and one of tho
most lucid and polished writer's of any ago.
In the preparation Of his works, he causc'
his authorities to be read to him. dictatin:
notes durias the process, which were after
wards repeated to him so frequently that hi
mind had completely dgested all the fact
and sentiments of the subject, which h,
eventually clothed in his own fascinating an'
polished language, forming consecutive ant
harmonious narrative.
Tedious as must be this method of obtain
ing his materials, and laborious as writing
with stilus or bodkin, on paper prepare,
for the purpose, really is, still it afford
time for the thorough distillation of ever,
thought and the polish of every period, ant
the pure light of a well-guided Imagination
to give his writings all the charms of ro
nance, and all the fidelity of rigid truthful
ness.
Nearly every literary society has honore'
him with membership and Oxford ha
conferred on him the compliment of doctor
of laws.