The western fur trade era--a time when trappers and traders
endured constant danger from man, beast, and weather--was one of
the most colorful periods in American history. Over a decade ago,
William R. Nester wrote the first biography of Robert Campbell
(1804-1879); the subsequent discovery of nearly five hundred new
documents, most from two major caches of letters, led to this
even-more-detailed and vivid account of Campbell's self-described
"bold and dashing life."Campbell came to America from Ireland in
1822 and entered the fur trade soon after. He quickly rose from
trapper to brigade leader to partner, all within a half dozen
years, and this new edition includes an expanded narrative of his
adventures in the Rocky Mountain fur trade. In the mid-1830s,
having amassed considerable wealth, Campbell retired from the
mountains and embarked on a new career. He returned to St. Louis
and built up a business empire that embraced mercantile, steamboat,
railroad, and banking interests, thus becoming a leading force
behind the region's economic development. A more extensive account
of the cutthroat business world in which Campbell operated now
enriches this portion of the book.Nester masterfully depicts the
"sterling character" for which Campbell was renowned. Campbell
enjoyed deep and enduring friendships and strong familial ties,
both in America and abroad. Although he was an outstanding
businessman and philanthropist, his personal life was marred by
tragedy. Ten of his thirteen children died prematurely. Despite
those tragic losses, his faith in God never faltered. He believed
that all worldly successes should honor God and once wrote that,
"all worldly gain is but dross." This edition elucidates the
complex relations among his family and chronicles both tragic
events and humorous incidents in more depth.Exploring the letters,
journals, and account books that Campbell left behind, Nester
places him in the context of the times in which he lived, showing
the economic, political, social, and cultural forces that provided
the opportunities and challenges that shaped his life. Nester
provides new insights into Campbell's ownership of slaves, his
attitudes toward slavery, and his behind-the-scenes political and
economic activities during the Civil War. This comprehensive
exploration of Robert Campbell's life depicts a fascinating era in
American history.
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