History of North Dakota (book)
Encyclopedia
The History of North Dakota is a book written by Elwyn B. Robinson covering the history of the U.S. state
of North Dakota
. The book's coverage spans from several thousand years ago at the time when Native Americans
first settled the area that would become present-day North Dakota up through the 20th Century. The book, published by University of Nebraska Press
in 1966, was the first scholarly book covering the full-scope of North Dakota's history and has remained the definitive history of the state. The first edition contained 599 pages, 32 pages of illustration, and line drawings by Jack Brodie.
Elwyn B. Robinson (1905-1985) was a professor of history at the University of North Dakota
in Grand Forks
. At the 75th Anniversary Convocation of UND on November 6, 1958, Robinson presented a speech entitled "The Themes of North Dakota History." The speech received great attention and would eventually result in the publication of History of North Dakota in 1966. The book won the Award of Merit of the American Association for State and Local History
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
. The book's coverage spans from several thousand years ago at the time when Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
first settled the area that would become present-day North Dakota up through the 20th Century. The book, published by University of Nebraska Press
University of Nebraska Press
The University of Nebraska Press, founded in 1941, is a publisher of scholarly and popular-press books. It is the second-largest state university press in the United States and, including private institutions, ranks among the 10 largest university presses in the United States...
in 1966, was the first scholarly book covering the full-scope of North Dakota's history and has remained the definitive history of the state. The first edition contained 599 pages, 32 pages of illustration, and line drawings by Jack Brodie.
Elwyn B. Robinson (1905-1985) was a professor of history at the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
in Grand Forks
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
. At the 75th Anniversary Convocation of UND on November 6, 1958, Robinson presented a speech entitled "The Themes of North Dakota History." The speech received great attention and would eventually result in the publication of History of North Dakota in 1966. The book won the Award of Merit of the American Association for State and Local History
American Association for State and Local History
The American Association for State and Local History is a non-profit association for state and local history, with a primary focus on museums and historical societies. It is headquartered in Nashville, TN, and has over 6,300 members...
.
Themes in North Dakota history
In his seminal History of North Dakota, Robinson identified six themes in North Dakota history:- Remoteness
- Dependence
- Radicalism
- Economic disadvantage
- The "too-much mistake"
- Adjustment