Parkman, Francis, 1823-93, American historian, b. Boston. In 1846, Parkman started a journey along the Oregon Trail to improve his health and study the Native Americans. On his return to Boston he collapsed physically and moved to Brattleboro, Vt. There Parkman dictated to his cousin The Oregon Trail, published in book form as The California and Oregon Trail (1849); the shorter title was resumed in later editions. Despite ill health, he labored on his History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac (1851) and wrote an unsuccessful novel, Vassall Morton (1856). Following a trip to Paris in 1858 to seek medical aid, he was for several years unable to continue his historical researches. He took up the study of horticulture and became an expert in the field. In 1866, The Book of Roses was published, and from 1871 to 1872 he was professor of horticulture at Harvard. He eventually resumed his studies of the history of Canada and the early Northwest, publishing Pioneers of France in the New World (1865), The Discovery of the Great West (1869; 11th and later editions pub. as La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West), The Old Régime in Canada (1874), Count Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV (1877), Montcalm and Wolfe (1884), and A Half-Century of Conflict (1892). Parkman served for a time as overseer of Harvard and later as a fellow of the Harvard Corp. (1875-88). He was a founder of the Archaeological Institute of America (1879) and was president of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society (1875-78). Parkman's superior literary gifts, combined with his careful historical research, gained him wide contemporary prominence. His work showed both anti-Catholic and antidemocratic prejudices, but it usually managed to combine accuracy and vigor of expression. There are several editions of Parkman's complete works. His journals were edited by Mason Wade (1947) and his letters by Wilbur R. Jacobs (1960).

(born Sept. 16, 1823, Boston, Mass., U.S.—died Nov. 8, 1893, Jamaica Plain, Mass.) U.S. historian. Parkman graduated from Harvard University before embarking in 1846 on a journey to the West that resulted in The California and Oregon Trail (1849). He is noted for his seven-part history France and England in North America, covering the colonial period from the beginnings to 1763; its volumes include Pioneers of France in the New World (1865); Montcalm and Wolfe (1884), which demonstrates how biography can penetrate the spirit of an age; and A Half-Century of Conflict (1892), which exemplifies his literary artistry.

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(born Sept. 16, 1823, Boston, Mass., U.S.—died Nov. 8, 1893, Jamaica Plain, Mass.) U.S. historian. Parkman graduated from Harvard University before embarking in 1846 on a journey to the West that resulted in The California and Oregon Trail (1849). He is noted for his seven-part history France and England in North America, covering the colonial period from the beginnings to 1763; its volumes include Pioneers of France in the New World (1865); Montcalm and Wolfe (1884), which demonstrates how biography can penetrate the spirit of an age; and A Half-Century of Conflict (1892), which exemplifies his literary artistry.

Learn more about Parkman, Francis with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Parkman is a town in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. The population was 811 at the 2000 census.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 811 people, 311 households, and 222 families residing in the town. The population density was 17.8 people per square mile (6.9/km²). There were 498 housing units at an average density of 10.9/sq mi (4.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.03% White, 0.86% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 311 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 109.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,355, and the median income for a family was $32,000. Males had a median income of $26,207 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,965. About 8.5% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable natives

• Victor A. McKusick, pioneer medical geneticist who studied the Amish
• Vincent L. McKusick, Chief Justice of Maine (and the twin brother of Victor McKusick)
• Burt Shavitz, co-founder of Burt's Bee's cosmetics

References