Origins & Early Life

Peter Force (November 26, 1790 – January 23, 1868) was an American politician, newspaper editor, printer, archivist, and early American historian. He served as Mayor of the city of Washington from 1836 to 1840. Born in New Jersey, Force served in the Washington militia as a lieutenant during the War of 1812 and afterward was a printer. Politically, he belonged to the Whig Party and supported John Quincy Adams, leading to several government appointments in the 1820s.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Later, during the international political unrest caused by the American Civil War, Force was sent to Europe by the Lincoln Administration to stabilize diplomatic relations with France and England. Force amassed among the most extensive collections of books, manuscripts, original maps and other archival material from statesmen, and American and British military officers of the American Revolution. He is also noted for editing and publishing a massive collection of historical documents, books and maps in several volumes relating to colonial and revolutionary American history which were ultimately purchased by the Library of Congress for a large sum. Peter Force was born near the Passaic Falls in New...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Smith — Contemporary (Died in 1790) (1790): Scottish philosopher and economist, considered the father of modern capitalism.
• Benjamin Franklin — Contemporary (Died in 1790) (1790): American polymath, Founding Father, and inventor who shaped the early United States.
• Edward Parry (Royal Navy officer, born 1790) — Contemporary (Born in 1790) (1790): Royal Navy officer and pioneering Arctic explorer known for the Parry Channel expedition.
• Adah Isaacs Menken — Contemporary (Died in 1868) (1868): American actress, painter, and poet known for sensational stage performances.
• Annie S. D. Maunder — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering Irish astronomer known for discovering the Maunder Minimum and sunspot cycles.
• Arnold Sommerfeld — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for quantum and atomic structure models.
• Adam Mickiewicz — Shared historical date (11-26 · Died) (1855): National Poet of Poland, Romantic master, and leading voice of Slavic literature.
• Bernard Lonergan — Shared historical date (11-26 · Died) (1984): Influential Canadian Jesuit philosopher and theologian of the 20th century.
• Abraham ibn Ezra — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (1167): Distinguished 12th-century Sephardic rabbi, philosopher, and biblical commentator.
• Alexandre Cabanel — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (1889): Prominent French Academic painter, celebrated for historical and mythological subjects.
• 1790 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1790
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• 1868 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1868
• January 23 (01-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 23