George Ticknor, a groundbreaking New England intellectual, is known primarily for his monumental three-volume History of Spanish Literature (1849). Appearing at a time when Americans were struggling to prove to skeptical Europeans that the New World could produce significant literature, Ticknor's work stands out as an important achievement. A champion of education for everyone, he deliberately wrote his book not only for scholars but also for general readers. As a professor at Harvard College for many years, Ticknor worked tirelessly for educational reform in spite of discouragement and opposition. Ever gregarious, he cultivated friendships with both ordinary people and distinguished scholars, artists, and statesmen. Several extended visits to Europe enhanced his international outlook and cultural sophistication. Besides his notable history, he wrote biographies of Daniel Webster and William Hickling Prescott, contributed many articles to journals, engaged in extensive correspondence, and wrote copious journal entries that give readers a vivid...