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GEORGE BANCROFT was born at Worcester, Mass., Oct. 3, 1800.

His father, the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bancroft, was a minister of much ability, and a man of fine literary taste. Dr. Bancroft prepared an excellent "Life of Washington," which he published in 1807. Without doubt, the tastes of the father had something to do with the literary tendencies of his son.

George Bancroft's education was ample. He was early trained in an academy at Exeter; and at the age of thirteen he entered Harvard College. From this institution he graduated with distinction. Later he studied for two years in the University of Gottingen, Germany. Upon completing his studies in college. Bancroft entered the church, but his strong literary inclination prevailed, and he took up his pen. While in Europe he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He also formed the acquaintance of Humboldt, and other noted men, and traveled over a great portion of Europe.

He returned to the United States in 1822, and taught in Harvard University for about one year. He opened a school at Northampton in 1823. About the same time he published a volume of poems, and translated quite extensively from the German, chiefly the historical manuals of Professor Heeren.

At this time, Bancroft began to gather material for his "History of the Colonization of the United States." The three volumes of this part of his famous "History of the United States" appeared from 1834 to 1840. The work showed an energetic and lively style, and an occasional democratic prejudice. As a reward for the strong American tendencies of his thoughts, he was appointed collector of the port of Boston, in 1838, by President Van Buren. In 1844 his party ran him for governor of Massachusetts, and, although defeated, he received the largest vote ever before given by his state. While the canvass was progressing, he was absent from the state, engaged on his history. The standing which he had thus gained recommended him most favorably, and in 1845 President Polk made him Secretary of the Navy. In the succeeding year, his literary reputation secured for him the appointment as minister plenipotentiary to England. In 1849, while in England, Oxford conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. His appointment gave universal satisfaction.

His literary labors were greatly aided by the kindness of the British government in giving him access to the State Paper Office, and to collections in the museum, and various private collections. He also had access to the State Records of Paris, where he received valuable aids. Upon returning to the United States, he took up his residence in New York, in 1849. From that time his life was given almost entirely to work on his "History," the last volume of which was brought out in 1873. The period between 1849 and 1873 was interrupted by his appointment, in 1867, as minister to Prussia, in 1868, as minister to the German Confederation, and in 1871 as minister to the German Empire. Thus we see that he was appropriately honored by his countrymen.

The first volume of "Bancroft's History" appeared in 1834, and the tenth and last in 1873, covering, as will be seen, a period of thirty-nine years. Upon completion, it became very popular in this and foreign countries. It has been translated into various languages.

Mr. Bancroft afterward took up his residence in Washington and revised his great work, which he completed in 1885, when the great historian laid down his pen for the last time. He could afford to cease from his labors for his life had been full of honors, and his pen had created a mounment to his ability that will last through time. His labors brought him an ample fortune. His death occurred in Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 1891. He was a hearty lover of his country and of the founders of her independence, and his native land certainly reciprocates by cherishing the memory of the noble historian of her trials, triumphs and glory.