Reuben Gold Thwaites

Photo:  Reuben Gold Thwaites, 1897, Wisconsin Historical Society

For various reasons, the story of Lewis and Clark nearly disappeared from the minds of Americans by the end of the 19th century. Fortunately, Reuben Gold Thwaites edited and published his revised journals in 1904-06 and their legendary story’s reputation recovered.

Thwaites was a librarian, historian, and editor who was born in Massachusetts in 1853. He moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1866, put himself through a “college course” while teaching school and working on local farms. He then worked for several newspapers and in 1874 enrolled in Yale University as a graduate student in history and economics.

He returned to Wisconsin two years later, settling in Madison, where he served as the managing editor of the Wisconsin State Journal. In 1887, Thwaites became the executive officer of the State Historical Society and served in that role until his death in 1913.

While leading the historical society, Thwaites edited several large projects, including the “Original Journals of Lewis and Clark.” With this 8-volume work, he is credited with raising the scholarship surrounding the Expedition to a new level. Prior to his work, general knowledge as well as serious scholarship were significantly hampered by legend. He discovered and uncovered various additional, original sources, including the journal of Charles Floyd. By including these sources and tying them together, the nature and importance of the Corps of Discovery became much more widely recognized.

A more detailed publication by Matt Blessing of Marquette University on the life of Thwaites and his role in saving the Lewis and Clark story can be accessed on the Wisconsin Historical Society website.