The Wilderness (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Wilderness, or the Youthful Days of Washington is an historical novel
by the American
writer James McHenry
(1784–1845) set in 1750s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
The novel tells the story of an Irish
family from Ulster
on the frontier of the American West at colonial Pittsburgh. In a subplot George Washington
, who is passing through on his historic mission, falls in love with a pioneer maiden named Maria, who refuses him, and therefore he dedicates himself thereafter to the service of his country.
The Wilderness is the first American novel set entirely in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer James McHenry
James McHenry (novelist)
James McHenry was an American writer, physician, and diplomat.He was born at Larne, Ireland and was educated in Dublin and Glasgow, In 1817 he emigrated to the United States and took up residence in Philadelphia, where he practised medicine...
(1784–1845) set in 1750s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
The novel tells the story of an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
family from Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
on the frontier of the American West at colonial Pittsburgh. In a subplot George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, who is passing through on his historic mission, falls in love with a pioneer maiden named Maria, who refuses him, and therefore he dedicates himself thereafter to the service of his country.
The Wilderness is the first American novel set entirely in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
.