19th century Biographies

Abraham Lincoln

Book cover: 'Abraham Lincoln'
Author(s): 
Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Number of pages: 
56 pages
Copyright: 
1939
Publisher: 
Dell Publishers
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Our family has almost worn out our copy of this well-loved book. Abraham Lincoln the boy comes alive in the story and illustrations. We see him grow to a young man and take several adventurous trips "down river" and learn that a fortune-teller from New Orleans predicted that he would be president some day. The authors indicate his empathy for the slaves during this trip and show how his honesty and integrity eventually win the respect of many, although they don't make for an easy life. The book includes information and anecdotes from the Civil War, but avoids the topic of his assassination.

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
1999

Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt

Book cover: 'Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt'
Author(s): 
Jean Fritz
Number of pages: 
121 pages
Copyright: 
1991
Publisher: 
Scholastic
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is an interesting biography of one of our nation's most colorful presidents. It was interesting to discover that Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a rather sickly youth who suffered from asthma. His determination in overcoming his illness and living a full life despite his rather frail body help to make him a man who loved life and tried to live his life to the fullest - especially enjoying the world around him. He was a nature enthusiast and an avid hunter and is considered one of the pioneers of the conservation movement - although certainly not what some today might call a "wacko environmentalist." This aspect of the story might lead to some interesting discussions with your children about a proper stewardship of nature. It is interesting to note how he was affected by the harsh winter of 1886-1887 which devastated the Dakotas where Roosevelt had a huge ranch. I believe this was the same year described in the book The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. A comparison of the two perspectives might make an interesting writing assignment. I can't comment on the accuracy of the author's presentation of the politics of the day - especially the war in Cuba - as I haven't read much else about it. This book would provide interesting reading and discussion material for approximately grades 5-8.

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
1999

Charles and Emma

The Darwins' Leap of Faith
Author(s): 
Deborah Heiligman
Number of pages: 
268 pages
Copyright: 
2009
ISBN: 
0805087215
Publisher: 
Henry Holt and Company
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

I learned a few things from this young adult book about the life of Charles Darwin after his adventures on the H.M.S. Beagle. The book is based on his and his wife’s diary entries and because Charles was the more prolific writer we have more of his insights than Emma’s. The quoted material is more of a sprinkling than a basis for the book so it is mostly the author’s interpretation rather than their actual words.

Charles was agnostic from the start. His father was a wealthy physician whose money bankrolled Charles’s scientific career and lavish home life (which turned out to be a very good investment). He was a Unitarian, which the author describes as “a lenient Christian faith” though most other Christians would not agree; they would be more in line with Charles’s grandfather, Erasmus, who said it was a “featherbed to catch a falling Christian.”

Charles studied theology at Cambridge because everyone studied theology that went to university in those days; University College London, the first “godless” institution, didn’t open until 1826. Charles did not do well, though he steeped himself in the Natural Philosophy of the day—the notion that the beauty of nature proved God’s existence. This very popular philosophy during Darwin’s time is what was so threatened by his hypothesis of Natural Selection because, in Darwin's mind, evolution did not require God to develop the beauty of creatures. When someone like Charles has been raised without a clear theology and tends to take up the current philosophical fad of the day (he later followed Francis Newman for awhile until he disagreed with him, too,) we are not surprised by his eventual atheism. Charles, however, did not have the animosity towards people of faith as many of the atheists of today have.

Overall, Charles was a highly reserved man who did not want to offend anyone. (In fact he likely suffered from panic disorder and agoraphobia.) He was even incapable of disciplining his own children, though he had nannies to take care of that. Ultimately it was this extreme Victorian reserve that held him back from publishing his thoughts on the very controversial topic of Natural Selection until he could have complete proof that he was right, perhaps the same level of proof he sought after in his search for God. While he never took the leap of faith required of a Christian believer, he did publish his theory without iron-clad proof ultimately because someone else was going to beat him to it. He received a letter from Alfred Wallace who conceived the very same theory, and even then he needed some coaxing from his friends, who also testified that Charles came up with it first.

Emma Wedgwood, from the family of pottery fame, was Charles’s affluent cousin. According to the book “Charles’s Wedgwood cousins had been brought up with few, if any, rules and the encouragement to think freely.” She is often stated to be “deeply religious” though after reading this book I question people’s definition of that term. After suffering the tragic loss of Emma’s sister, Fanny, Emma’s faith was then derived mostly from a desire to see a loved one in the afterlife rather than on any deep personal belief. This theme is emphasized by the author throughout the book. I am not surprised she was unable to convince her loving husband of the existence of God. She, too, picked and chose what she wanted to believe. She turned away from the altar during mention of the Trinity, and their daughter Elizabeth decided not to be confirmed because she also did not believe in the Trinity. The frequent mention of “free thinking” in the book seemed a nod to modern rationalism. (Freethinkers, ironically, can only form opinions based on logic and science without philosophy or theology, which seems hypocritical to me.)

Though the book is based on the writings of Charles and Emma, the author does give us a good dose of her own Secularist filter. The most telling words in this regard are:

“For his part, Charles admitted that Emma had been right when she said that his looking at the world in a scientific way probably precluded him from looking at it in a religious way. Perhaps to do the great science he did, he had to focus entirely that way—to let religion in would have diluted his effort. That did not mean he would deny Emma—or anyone—their beliefs. But for him, science was the way to get answers.” (pg. 213)

Emma must not have been familiar with the long and important history of scientific discovery brought about by people of faith that continues today. This false generalization is the result of ignorance given her social circles, though it is a stereotype that the author willingly perpetuates.

The enjoyment of the book came through the loving and devoted relationship between Charles and Emma throughout their lives and tragedies. We learn about living a privileged life in Victorian England. They had 10 children, one who died at less than a month, another at age 10, and their last at age 2. Charles himself was plagued with sickness throughout his life (though the book does not mention panic disorder as the likely cause). Emma mothered him and he was willingly a child around her. She gave great comfort to Charles as well as the children during their times of illness. We really don’t get much of a scientific history; the book is primarily the personal life of Charles and Emma Darwin. One tidbit I found interesting is how different their painted portraits looked from their photographs; I would not have thought them to be of the same subjects.

The book brings to light so much of the religious confusion in 19th century England. Unfortunately the author’s anti-religious filter stifles the potential for it to enlighten the reader regarding this turbulent time so well reflected by the Darwin family. In the end the religious story is a tragic one for the Darwin clan, deteriorating into the birth of the Eugenics movement through Charles’s cousin Francis Galton that was endorsed by Charles himself (also not mentioned in the book).

I am disappointed to find a modern trend in children’s book awards to select titles with anti-religious themes, this book being no exception. Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith has received the YALSA-ALA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction award, was a National Book Award finalist, and is an honor book of the ALA’s Printz Award.

The author writes the story, which in large part is about the Darwins's religious faith (or lack thereof,) from a Secularist view.

Perspective: 
Secular
Additional notes: 

While the book could be read by a younger audience, the book contains too many narrow and misleading religious statements to be read by a child without the ability to see through these serious faults. It does give a deeper perspective regarding religion in 19th century England and the faith of Charles and Emma Darwin, though unfortunately through an anti-religious filter.

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
7-7-2010

From Slave to Priest

A Biography of the Reverend Augustine Tolton
Author(s): 
Sister Caroline Hemesath
Number of pages: 
251 pages
Copyright: 
1973
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Full title: From Slave to Priest: A Biography of the Reverend Augustine Tolton (1854-1897) The First Black Priest of the United State

"Good Father Gus" was born into a devout Catholic family of slaves in Missouri in 1854. His father died fighting for the Union Army and Augustine was just seven years old when the rest of the family traveled the Underground Railroad to freedom in Illinois. Life was very difficult there, even after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Tough working conditions and low pay were the norm at the tobacco factory where Augustine worked beginning at age nine.

When Augustine discovered he had a vocation to the priesthood, he had the support of many priests and religious who knew him, but was unable to find any seminaries in the United States willing to accept him. After many years of study, prayer and hard work, he was finally accepted at the Collegium Urbanum de Propaganda Fide in Rome.

After his ordination in 1886, he returned to America where he served as a pastor in his hometown of Quincy, Illinois and later on in the first black parish in Chicago. Throughout his life and his ministry, his efforts, though blessed with a significant number of friends and benefactors, were frustrated by ignorance, racism and poverty. He labored tirelessly on behalf of his people, but died at the young age of 43, with many unfulfilled dreams.

It's a rather sad, though faith-filled and inspiring story, and perhaps serves as an important examination of conscience within the study of American history. A tidbit from a conversation between the young Augustine and one of his teachers illustrates the obstacles he was up against: "Father, you mentioned that a master did not actually own a slave's will and intellect when he acquired a slave. What chances did these slaves have to develop their wills and minds? Look at the thousands of persons who are illiterate, mentally and morally stunted."

This is a fascinating and rather quick read for upper high school or adult. Father Tolton is a man who deserves to be remembered and emulated. Sister Hemesath has done a great service to the world by compiling and preserving this very detailed (though at times confusingly-organized) account of his life. She was able to interview many people who knew Father Tolton (including St. Katharine Drexel) since her interest in his life story dates from 1933.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
2-21-07

Giant of the Western Trail

Book cover: 'Giant of the Western Trail'
Author(s): 
Rev. Michael McHugh, S.J.
Number of pages: 
181 pages
Copyright: 
1958
Publisher: 
Neumann Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Pierre-Jean De Smet (1801-1873) was a beloved missionary in the American West who brought the Gospels and the Catholic Faith to many Indians as well as fighting for peace and justice for the Indians and those suffering from the Civil War. A substantial figure in American history, many may remember from the Little House Books that the city in South Dakota that the Ingalls settled in was named after this renowned priest.

This is a readable interesting story which provides many interesting details about Indian life, the cause of the struggles with the Indians, and the role of Catholics in American history. It really shows a much more favorable side to the Indians than we see in many books as we understand their initial trust of white man and how that trust was betrayed over and over again. (Naturally the details vary from tribe to tribe.) Fr. de Smet founded missions among many of the Indian tribes and played influential roles in a number of important peace councils - particularly his encounters with the legendary Sitting Bull.

One reason I think this book is particularly important is that it shows how progressive Catholic teaching is and was on matters relating to the Indians and their rights. Kind of interesting from a book written in the 1950s! Highly recommended. Most appropriate for grades 5-8.

A great book to read alongside this is Brave Buffalo Fighter by John D. Fitzgerald (Bethlehem Books). It brings the same era to life through the eyes of children on a wagon train.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Imprimatur

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
9-23-03

God's Little Flower, the Story of St. Therese of Lisieux

Author(s): 
Chris Driscoll
Illustrator(s): 
Patrick Kelley
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2001
ISBN: 
1929039050
Publisher: 
Ambassador Books
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

St. Therese of Lisieux is a very popular saint whose life story is easily understood by children. While not full of action and adventure, her life story's simplicity and sweetness are appealing to even the most worldly of children. This lovely picture book, with its carefully chosen vocabulary and sentence structures, is written on a level that will allow a 3rd-grade and up child to read it for himself or herself. The full-page illustrations are attractive, colorful, simple, and modern in style, adding to the story rather than overwhelming it.

God's Little Flower is not so much a biography but an age-appropriate explanation of St. Therese's spirituality. There are no dates or quotations or geography lessons slipped into the text, yet it manages to convey an even more important lesson---that of quiet, loving service to God through our prayers and sufferings.

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
9-3-02

Little Therese

Book cover: 'Little Therese'
Author(s): 
Adapted from Pere J. Carbonel, S.J.
Number of pages: 
153 pages
Copyright: 
1925
Publisher: 
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This biography of St. Therese of Lisieux for children emphasizes the story of her childhood, her simple spirituality as taught to her by her family with an emphasis on the little acts of sacrifice she made and how that helped her to develop control of her will. The story includes many details of Therese's childhood and family life that Catholic homeschool families will relate to. It is told in a way that encourages young children to offer little sacrifices to God in imitation of this saint. I was particularly amused to hear that St. Therese at first did not want to study her lessons and would hide from her mother. I know that this particular behavior is one that has frustrated a number of homeschooling mothers. They may be encouraged to know that Zelie Martin struggled with this too and may wish to ask Blessed Zelie and Saint Therese to gain the cooperation of their children. The book also includes numerous pen and ink illustrations (on almost every page) which highlight the ways in which St. Therese imitated Our Lord even as a small child. A sixteen page segment in the middle of the book provides a timeline and a number of black and white reproductions of photos and paintings depicting her life.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
9-24-2000

Presenting Miss Jane Austen

Author(s): 
May Lamberton Becker
Number of pages: 
179 pages
Copyright: 
1952
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Whether you have read any of Jane Austen’s novels or not, Presenting Miss Jane Austen offers a fascinating glimpse into her family’s life. Although none of her family are famous for any extraordinary, worldly accomplishments, they are still far from dull or boring. By reading about her family life, we come to understand the many characters and plots in her novels. Woven throughout the biography are snippets from her novels and correspondence with others, providing insight between actual occurrences and scenes in her novels. While today we might consider the romance between Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett a fairytale, Jane actually experienced through close family members more than one fairytale romance. What may be especially meaningful to learn about for the budding author is how her family created a home environment that fostered her writing abilities.

What was her family like? She grew up in a rather large family with four older brothers, Henry, James, Edward, and Francis, one older sister, Cassandra, and one younger brother, Charles. Her mother was a resourceful woman, who even cut up her handsome, scarlet riding habit to make clothes for her young sons. Her father, a rector, was a “sweet-tempered” man who “loved to teach and could make boys love to learn.”

As a young child, Jane was extremely shy. When she was six she went to school, but at age nine “her formal education was over; her real schooling was about to begin.” Unlike most children in similar family circumstances, she did not have a governess. She did, on the other hand, grow up with her father’s vast library.

From early on, we can begin to piece together what her family did to encourage her writing talents. She came from a loving family and they loved to learn. Besides reading books from her father’s vast library, her father loved to read aloud to the children from poetry, popular novels, and more. When the children were older they also enjoyed putting on charades and later on plays that they called theatricals.

As a young adult, Jane blossomed. Much like Elizabeth Bennett, she loved to dance. In a letter to her sister Cassandra, Jane relates to her “that there had been 20 dances at the ball and she had danced them all.”

One constant theme throughout Jane’s life is the love, affection, and support the family had for one another. “But the Steventon Austens, happy by nature and disciplined by training to let others be happy, would have scorned a family quarrel and family differences were laughed over rather than dwelt upon.”

Why do people enjoy reading Jane Austen’s books? After reading her biography, the answer becomes even more apparent. Her characters are real. So real that as May Lamberton Becker remarks, “You would recognize them today should you meet them at a party.” Even to Jane, they seemed real. When she and Henry visited an exhibition of paintings in London, she wrote to her niece Fanny that she had seen a portrait of Mrs. Bingley.

Her characters are real because they are, like Jane described one of her characters, Fanny Knight, “so odd, and all the time so perfectly natural—so peculiar in yourself, and yet so like everybody else!” One aspect of her characters that makes them particularly realistic is that her heroes and heroines are not perfect. They have faults. Although Austen pokes fun at other’s imperfections in her subtle way, she never succumbs to the derogatory put downs of today’s modern television sitcoms. Her humor is genteel.

At the same time, she recognizes that it is not just the other person who has faults, but that we all have weaknesses to overcome. The character of Elizabeth Bennett is a good example. Although she is the heroine, observing all the flaws in those around her and especially becoming exasperated with her mother’s and sisters’ shortcomings, she too recognizes that she is not perfect. If she continued to focus on the faults of others and never recognized her own, she would never have been able to grow in her relationship with Mr. Darcy.

To Jane, writing was a delight. As May Lamberton Becker noted about Jane writing Pride and Prejudice, “She smiled as she wrote it and whenever she thought of it she smiled.” Others in her family also delighted in reading Pride and Prejudice. “They kept on reading it more than once.” In fact, Jane once remarked about Elizabeth Bennett that “I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.”

Perhaps one of Jane Austen’s greatest writing strengths is that she wrote what she was familiar with and excelled in it. She spent 16 years patiently rewriting Pride and Prejudice until she was satisfied with the final outcome. How many authors would have the patience to rewrite something countless times over that many years? At the same time, she didn’t succumb to writing the popular Gothic romances of the time.

Reading Presenting Miss Jane Austen, has sparked my interest to go back and reread Pride and Prejudice and Emma as well as acquaint myself with all her other novels that I have never read. The author touches upon many intriguing aspects of Jane Austen’s life. We learn about her family, her life, her interests and thoughts through her correspondence, the progression of her writing career, and more. We even learn what her contemporaries, like Sir Walter Scott or George Eliot, thought of Jane Austen. After reading Pride and Prejudice, you may come to agree with Anthony Trollope that it is “the best novel in the English language.”

Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
6-10-2007

Saint Bakhita of Sudan, Forever Free

Author(s): 
Susan Helen Wallace, FSP
Number of pages: 
102 pages
Copyright: 
2006
Publisher: 
Pauline Books and Media
Binding: 
Softcover
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Saint Bakhita is an outstanding example of gentleness, love, and faithfulness. In a world so easily consumed with bitterness, revenge, and self-centeredness, her virtues of forgiveness to others who deeply harmed her and gratitude for all of God’s goodness and grace in her life are inspiring. She often said, “’Be good, love the Lord, pray for the unhappy souls who do not know him yet. What a grace it is to know God!’”

At the young age of seven, Bakhita is traumatically torn from her village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan by slave traders. Although she and another young girl manage to escape, it is only temporary. Even though she receives “better” treatment as a house slave than other slaves, she is still subjected to cruel and inhumane punishments, nearly dying on more than one occasion because of being brutally whipped and viscously kicked and beaten.

That anyone should receive such harsh treatment by the hands of another human is beyond comprehension. These distressing scenes could be used as a point of discussion to explain the importance of spreading the Christian message of the incredible worth of a person’s soul, created in the image and likeness of God.

Remarkably, when Bakhita was asked later in life, “’What would you do if you met your kidnappers now?’ Without hesitating, she replied, ‘If I were to meet those slave traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would get down on my knees and kiss their hands because if all that had not happened, I would be neither a Christian nor a religious now.’ Bakhita was a living witness to the power of forgiveness.”

Through a series of incredible events, Bakhita was brought to Italy, where she came into contact with the Daughters of Charity of Canossa, also known as the “Canossians.” After some time, she would join their order and become a beautiful example of God’s love to others.

Susan Helen Wallace, FSP, does a wonderful job of introducing us to this little known saint, whose faith journey begins with terror, fear, and unbelievable cruelty, but ends in the joy of the risen Lord.

St. Bakhita, pray for us.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Review Date: 
11-24-2007

The Cure D'Ars

St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney
Book cover: 'The Cure D'Ars: St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney'
Author(s): 
Abbe Francis Trochu
Number of pages: 
586 pages
Copyright: 
1927
Publisher: 
TAN Books and Publishers
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is a fascinating and surprisingly readable (but lengthy) biography of St. John Vianney - the definitive one, carefully researched from the documents produced for the canonization process. It is most suitable for adults, but will be appropriate for teens who enjoy reading - it is particularly beneficial for young men considering the priesthood. Some of the particular stories about St. John Vianney and those whose lives he touched are absolutely amazing.

This book also bears a special recommendation from Pope John Paul II and had a substantial influence on his life. He had this to say about St. John Vianney and this particular book in his own book Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination...

"With great emotion I visited the little old church where Saint John Vianney heard confessions, taught catechism, and gave his homilies. It was an unforgettable experience for me. From my seminary years I had been impressed by the figure of the Cure d'Ars, especially after reading his biography by Monsignor Trochu. Saint John Marie Vianney astonishes us because in him we can see the power of grace working through human limitations. It was his heroic service in the confessional which particularly struck me. That humble priest, who would hear confessions more than ten hours a day, eating little and sleeping only a few hours, was able, at a difficult moment in history, to inspire a kind of spiritual revolution in France..." (pp. 57, Gift and Mystery by Pope John Paul II)

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
3-7-01

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