Worthington C. Ford
Encyclopedia
Worthington Chauncey Ford (February 15, 1868 – March 7, 1941) was an American
historian
and editor
of a number of collections of documents from early American history. He served in a variety of government positions: first, as the chief of the Bureau of Statistics for the U.S. Department of State, from 1885–1889, then at the U.S. Department of Treasury, 1893–1898, then as chief of the manuscripts division at the Library of Congress from 1902-1908. He also served as Librarian of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University
from 1917-1922.
. His two older brothers were Paul Leicester Ford
, an eminent biographer and novelist, and Malcolm Webster Ford
, a distinguished amateur athlete, both of whom died May 8, 1902 in a murder-suicide
perpetrated by the latter.
documents, including “The writings of George Washington (14 Volumes)”, “Alexander Hamilton's notes in the Federal convention of 1787”, and “Writings of John Quincy Adams”. He also edited collections of the correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
, John Adams
, and other figures in early American history.
Ford’s historical work was also notable for his tenure as chief of the newly established Manuscripts Division at the Library of Congress. During his time in charge, from 1903-1909, he organized a significant effort to photograph and copy manuscripts pertaining to early American history which resided in foreign archives (especially France, Britain, and Spain). In this way, copies of many documents which had been missing since 1812 or earlier were recovered.
. In addition, he edited and published the complete Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789.
Ford was active in the American Historical Association
and was elected President in 1917. Ford’s presidential address, The Editorial Function in United States History, is notable for its careful exposure of the deliberate omissions made by early editors of the Founding Fathers papers, including faked memoirs, papers edited to hide controversies important at the time, and other “crimes and errors” common in the editing and publishing of historical documents of the time.
Ford also edited collections of works of other American figures, including Letters of Henry Adams (1892-1918), and a collection of Aaron Burr
's letters.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of a number of collections of documents from early American history. He served in a variety of government positions: first, as the chief of the Bureau of Statistics for the U.S. Department of State, from 1885–1889, then at the U.S. Department of Treasury, 1893–1898, then as chief of the manuscripts division at the Library of Congress from 1902-1908. He also served as Librarian of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
from 1917-1922.
Family Notoriety
Ford was the youngest member of a distinguished and notorious family. He was the great-grandson (through his mother) of Noah WebsterNoah Webster
Noah Webster was an American educator, lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author...
. His two older brothers were Paul Leicester Ford
Paul Leicester Ford
Paul Leicester Ford was an American novelist and biographer, born in Brooklyn.-Life and work:He was the great-grandson of Noah Webster and the brother of the noted historian Worthington C. Ford...
, an eminent biographer and novelist, and Malcolm Webster Ford
Malcolm Webster Ford
Malcolm Webster Ford , athlete and journalist. He was born in Brooklyn, the son of Gordon Lester Ford and Emily Webster Ford ....
, a distinguished amateur athlete, both of whom died May 8, 1902 in a murder-suicide
Murder-suicide
A murder–suicide is an act in which an individual kills one or more other persons before or at the same time as killing himself or herself. The combination of murder and suicide can take various forms, including:...
perpetrated by the latter.
Historian, President of AHA
Worthington Ford was best known for his edited collections of a number of Founding FathersFounding Fathers of the United States
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some...
documents, including “The writings of George Washington (14 Volumes)”, “Alexander Hamilton's notes in the Federal convention of 1787”, and “Writings of John Quincy Adams”. He also edited collections of the correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
, and other figures in early American history.
Ford’s historical work was also notable for his tenure as chief of the newly established Manuscripts Division at the Library of Congress. During his time in charge, from 1903-1909, he organized a significant effort to photograph and copy manuscripts pertaining to early American history which resided in foreign archives (especially France, Britain, and Spain). In this way, copies of many documents which had been missing since 1812 or earlier were recovered.
. In addition, he edited and published the complete Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789.
Ford was active in the American Historical Association
American Historical Association
The American Historical Association is the oldest and largest society of historians and professors of history in the United States. Founded in 1884, the association promotes historical studies, the teaching of history, and the preservation of and access to historical materials...
and was elected President in 1917. Ford’s presidential address, The Editorial Function in United States History, is notable for its careful exposure of the deliberate omissions made by early editors of the Founding Fathers papers, including faked memoirs, papers edited to hide controversies important at the time, and other “crimes and errors” common in the editing and publishing of historical documents of the time.
Ford also edited collections of works of other American figures, including Letters of Henry Adams (1892-1918), and a collection of Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
's letters.
External links
- AHA Information: Worthington Ford's Bibliography at www.historians.org Partial Bibliography on Ford at AHA website.
- Worthington C. Ford, et al. ed. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789. (34 vol., 1904–1937) online edition