Who was Stephen Austin and why was he called the Father of Texas? This book focuses on the life and works of Stephen Austin. It also touches on the historical settlement of Texas and the prevalent socio-economic conditions of the time. What an exciting book this is! Start reading today!
Stephen F. Austin grew up to become known as the Father of Texas. Readers can learn about his interesting and incredible life in this appealing biography that highlights both Austin's life and Texas history. Through vivid images and illustrations, supportive text, an accommodating glossary and index, and fascinating facts, readers will learn about Texas pioneers, empresario system, Freemasons, and how Austin became such an important figure in Texas history.
Describes the life and career of Stephen F. Austin, from his childhood and education to his role as one of the founding fathers of Texas, managing the region's settlers and working to gain its independence.
The definitive biography of the legendary Empresario who colonized Texas for the Mexican government before leading the Texas Revolution. First published in 1925, The Life of Stephen F. Austin remains one of the finest works of Texas biography. An historian at the University of Texas, Eugene C. Barker spent nearly twenty-five years researching and writing this magisterial narrative, combining impeccable academic standards with engaging and lively prose. The son of Moses Austin, who received an empresario grant from Spain to settle Texas, Stephen took the mantle and began settling the region for the newly independent state of Mexico. He sold parcels of land to families of Anglo-Americans who later became known as the Old Three Hundred. When this growing Anglo community rebelled against the Mexican government, Austin led volunteer forces to victory at the Siege of Bexar and later served as Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas under President Houston.
The Texas State Historical Association is pleased to offer a reprint edition of Stephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas, Gregg Cantrell’s path-breaking biography of the founder of Anglo Texas. Cantrell’s portrait goes beyond the traditional interpretation of Austin as the man who spearheaded American Manifest Destiny. Cantrell portrays Austin as a borderlands figure who could navigate the complex cultural landscape of 1820s Texas, then a portion of Mexico. His command of the Spanish language, respect for the Mexican people, and ability to navigate the shoals of Mexican politics made him the perfect advocate for his colonists and often for all of Texas. Yet when conflicts between Anglo colonists and Mexican authorities turned violent, Austin’s accomodationist stance became outdated. Overshadowed by the military hero Sam Houston, he died at the age of forty-three, just six months after Texas independence. Decades after his death, Austin’s reputation was resurrected and he became known as the “Father of Texas.” More than just an icon, Stephen F. Austin emerges from these pages as a shrewd, complicated, and sometimes conflicted figure.
*Includes pictures *Includes contemporary accounts *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading "The independence of Texas is recognized! Don't you see it in the papers?" - Stephen F. Austin's last words Texas has a unique history among the 50 states that comprise the United States of America, and much of that is due to the nature of the men who brought about its independence. Of them, few are as famous or more important than Stephen F. Austin. Born in the very shadow of the Founding Fathers in Virginia, Austin seemed destined from birth to do something special. Certainly, his father Moses saw potential in the boy, training him up to take the lead in whatever situation he found himself in, and various life experiences transformed Stephen. Moses provided his son with plenty of the difficulties, including bankruptcy, business losses, and family squabbles, all by the time his son was 20 years old. Ultimately Moses bequeathed his son the chance to become an empresario, a 19th century leader of American pioneers in Texas. Austin in turn shaped the future of Texas in a way that no other leader ever had the opportunity to do, and by carefully choosing men like himself, politically, religiously, and ethically, he helped create an independent nation (and future state) known for its rugged individualism and self-determination. Unfortunately, he also created a place where slavery, America's great shame, was allowed to flourish for more than 40 years, and a place where people of color would struggle for generations to receive equality under the laws, many of which he either wrote or inspired. Ironically, the man whose name is so synonymous with Texas was not involved in the most famous battles that secured its independence. This actually ensured that he survived when so many of his contemporaries died, but he still lost his run for the presidency of Texas and instead had to accept an appointment as the Republic's first Secretary of State. Ultimately, it made little difference in the end, for he served only two months before he died of pneumonia just after his 43rd birthday, but despite his premature death, what cannot be questioned is how profound an impact Austin had on Texas, Mexico, and the United States over the course of several decades. Stephen F. Austin: The Life and Legacy of the Father of Texas looks at how he became one of the Southwest's most important figures. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Austin like never before.
