Frederick Jackson Turner was born on November 14, 1861, in Portage, Wisconsin. He inherited his love for history from his father, who was a journalist and amateur historian. Turner's upbringing in Wisconsin, a state known for its rugged landscapes and history of settlement, would have a significant influence on his later work.
Turner attended the University of Wisconsin, where he studied history and developed his interest in the American frontier. He later went on to earn his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, where he studied under renowned historian Herbert Baxter Adams.
Turner's career as a historian began to take shape in the late 19th century. In 1893, he delivered a paper at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago titled "The Significance of the Frontier in American History." This paper would later be expanded into his seminal work, "The Frontier in American History," published in 1920.
In his work, Turner put forth the Frontier Thesis, which argued that the unique American character was shaped by the experience of the frontier. He believed that the rugged and untamed nature of the frontier fostered a sense of individualism, egalitarianism, and self-reliance in early American settlers.
Turner's work also inspired other historians, such as William Prescott, to explore the implications of America's westward expansion. While Prescott focused on the former Mexican territories, Turner's focus on the frontier itself opened up new avenues of research and inquiry.
Throughout his career, Turner remained a dedicated scholar, continuing to write and lecture on American history until his death on March 14, 1932. His legacy as an influential historian of the United States continues to be felt in the field of American history and beyond.