The Life of Stephen F. Austin, Founder of Texas, 1793-1836: A Chapter in the Westward Movement of the Anglo-American People

Stephen F. Austin was a thoughtful, reflective man who once declared his aim to be to conquer the wilderness of Texas by the axe, the plow, and the hoe. He recognized that such as enterprise, unlike the work of a successful military chieftain, would attract little notice. Thus it was that almost a hundred years had passed since Austin' death when this first full-length biography of Austin was published. This book is the product of long and painstaking compilation of all pertinant and available materials to be found in the United States and Mexico and is the indispensible authority for the history of the Anglo-American beginning in Texas. For almost a quarter of a century, dividing his time between editing, teaching, textbook writing, and serving in various academic capacities, Eugene C. Barker pursued the study which resulted in The Life of Stephen F. Austn. His accomplichment has long been regarded as the finest biography in Texas literature. --- from book's back cover