Origins & Early Life

Joseph Allan Nevins Jr. (May 20, 1890 – March 5, 1971) was an American historian and journalist. Nevins was known for his extensive work on the history of the American Civil War and his biographies of such figures as Grover Cleveland, Hamilton Fish, Henry Ford, and John D. Rockefeller, as well as his public service.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was a leading exponent of business history and oral history. Joseph Allan Nevins Jr. was born May 20, 1890 in Camp Point, Illinois. His parents were Emma (née Stahl) and Joseph Allan Nevins Sr., whom Allan later described as a stern Presbyterian farmer. His father was of Scottish heritage and his mother German.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After education in local public schools, Nevins attended the University of Illinois, where he earned an M.A. in English in 1913. He married Mary Fleming (Richardson) in 1916, and the couple had two daughters, Anne Elizabeth and Meredith. Nevins wrote his first book, The Life of Robert Rogers (1914) (about a Colonial American frontiersman and Loyalist) and a history of the University of Illinois (1917) during his postgraduate studies in that institution. Nevins then accepted positions with the New York Evening Post and...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1890 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1890
• May 20 (05-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 20
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• March 5 (03-05) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 5