History, Frontier, and Section: Three Essays

In the forty-six years between 1886 and 1932. Frederick Jackson Turner left his indelible stamp on the theory, practice. and profession of American history.

These three essays -- "The Significance of History," the Frontier Thesis, and the Sectional Thesis -- demonstrate Turner's erudition, eloquence, and foresight. A remarkable, refreshing. yet little-known piece, "The Significance of History" argues that written history ought to be inclusive of all classes, to recount tragedies as well as triumphs, to incorporate global perspective, and to be multidisciplinary. In the frontier and sectional essays, Turner applied those ideas with extraordinary skill and effectiveness, demonstrating why he was one of the most gifted and widely emulated historians of his day.

The leading scholar on Frederick Jackson Turner, Martin Ridge has written an introduction that explores runner's life and places his work in historiographical context.