Originally published in 1955 and based on research of public records and other contemporary sources, this book builds up an excellent picture of England before the Civil War. Through a series of case studies, it examines the type of person who emigrated to New England and their motivation for doing so. The wealth of evidence from original documents is clearly arranged and provides a refreshing reassessment of the period, showing that although religious conviction was a clear motive for emigration, the Puritan were also seeking security from hardships of other kinds.
Allen French (28 November 1870-1946) was a historian and children's book author who did major research on the battles of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolutionary War. He was a founding member and president of the Thoreau Society.
Born in Boston, French attended Harvard University for his undergraduate education.
Several of his children's books were illustrated by painter Andrew Wyeth.