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John Lothrop MotleyAmerican historian and diplomat
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- John Lothrop Motley: Historian and Diplomat
- Literary Beginnings
- Diplomatic Career and Historical Writing
- Reception of Historical Works
- Diplomatic Service during the American Civil War
- Later Years and Legacy
John Lothrop Motley: Historian and Diplomat
Early Life and EducationJohn Lothrop Motley was born on April 15, 1814, in Dorchester, Massachusetts. His father and paternal uncle were active in trade, with his father establishing a Boston-based shipping company. Motley attended Round Hill School and Boston Latin School before graduating from Harvard University in 1831. His passion for German language and literature led him to travel to Germany in 1832, where he pursued studies at the University of Göttingen and struck up a friendship with Otto von Bismarck.
Literary Beginnings
After returning to the United States in 1834, Motley resumed his legal studies. In 1837, he married Mary Benjamin, the sister of prominent lawyer and writer Park Benjamin. In 1839, he published his first novel, "Morton's Hope, or the Memoirs of a Provincial," anonymously. While initially poorly received, it later gained recognition for its insightful portrayal of Bismarck, who appeared in the novel as the young student Otto von Rabenmark.
Diplomatic Career and Historical Writing
Motley joined the U.S. diplomatic service in 1841, serving briefly as a secretary of legation in St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon his return, he embarked on a literary career, anonymously publishing his second novel, "Merry Mount, a Romance of the Massachusetts Colony," in 1849.
In 1846, Motley began researching Netherlands history, focusing on the period of the Dutch Republic. After discovering that his early research was flawed, he traveled to Europe with his family in 1851 and spent the next five years in Dresden, Brussels, and The Hague, poring over archives. In 1856, he published "The Rise of the Dutch Republic," which gained widespread popularity. In 1860, he published two additional volumes as "The United Netherlands," based on further original research.
Reception of Historical Works
Motley's works were generally well-received in the United States and Great Britain, but they encountered mixed reactions in the Netherlands. While some praised his portrayal of the Dutch struggle for independence, others criticized his biased treatment of the conflict. Notably, Protestant historian Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer appreciated Motley's work, while liberal historian Robert Fruin criticized his tendency to "distort facts" in favor of a compelling narrative.
Diplomatic Service during the American Civil War
With the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Motley wrote two influential letters defending the Union cause that were published in "The Times" newspaper in London. These writings impressed President Abraham Lincoln and contributed to European support for the Northern side.
Later Years and Legacy
Motley held diplomatic posts in Austria and the United Kingdom during and after the Civil War. In 1877, he passed away near Dorchester, Dorset. In recognition of his literary accomplishments and historical contributions, John Lothrop Motley was inducted into the Hall of Famous Americans in 1910.
