The Papers of George Washington

FAIN: RQ-50291-07

University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA 22903-4833)
Theodore J. Crackel (Project Director: November 2006 to September 2010)
Edward George Lengel (Project Director: September 2010 to March 2011)

Editorial work on volumes 18-22 of the Revolutionary War series and volumes 14-20 of the Presidential series of the multi-volume print edition of the Papers of George Washington. (36 months)

The Papers of George Washington publishes--now in both digital and print formats--comprehensive, annotated editions of the public and private papers of Washington; these include, for the first time, the documents he received, as well as those that he wrote. Washington played a central, indispensable role in the creation of the American republic. His papers serve as a principle resource for new inquiry into the Revolutionary War and affairs of the new government-the development of military, foreign, and domestic policy; the creation of a framework of national laws; and the implementation of a governing apparatus. They provide a unique window into many aspects of early American society, including social and business affairs, agricultural development, and westward settlement. The project is an invaluable source for those researching the foundation and early history of the nation.

Media Coverage

"Book Review" (Review)
Author(s): Charles W. Royster
Publication: Journal of Southern History 78 (February 2012): 150-51
Date: 2/1/2012
Abstract: Summary review of the most recent volumes of the Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series. High praise for the content and editorial effort: the editors "have served well both Washington and those who study his career."

"Book Review" (Review)
Author(s): Caroline Cox
Publication: Journal of American History, 99 (Dec. 2012): 892-93
Date: 12/1/2012
Abstract: Review of the Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 20. Commends the work for its content, editing, and scholarship. The annotation based on primary sources reflects "the kind of depth and attention to detail that has made the series so successful." The review concludes: "The editors of these papers continue to serve scholars, teachers, and general readers in an exemplary way. Washington would be pleased."

Associated Products

The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 17, 15 September-31 October 1778 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 17, 15 September-31 October 1778
Editor: Philander D. Chase
Abstract: Fully edited documents to and from George Washington, comprehensive for the covered period, with scholarly annotations and an analytical index. Major subjects include the practical development of the Franco-American alliance, British raids in New York and New Jersey, and logistical arrangements for the coming winter encampment of the Continental army.
Year: 2008
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-2-revolutionary-war-series-17-15-september-31-october-1778-philander-d-chase-ed/oclc/315961682&referer=brief_results
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813926841

The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 18, 1 November1778-14 January 1779 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 18, 1 November1778-14 January 1779
Editor: Edward G. Lengel
Abstract: Fully edited documents to and from George Washington, comprehensive for the covered period, with scholarly annotations and an analytical index. Major subjects include debate over a plan to invade Canada, transfer of the Convention Army captured at Saratoga from Boston to Charlottesville, Va., the establishment of winter camp for the Continental army at Middlebrook, N.J., and Washington's consultations with Congress on army reorganization and American strategy.
Year: 2008
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-revolutionary-war-series-18-1-november-1778-14-january-1779/oclc/494482623&referer=brief_results
Publisher: Univeristy of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813927213

The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 19, 15 January-7 April 1779 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 19, 15 January-7 April 1779
Editor: William M. Ferraro
Editor: Philander D. Chase
Abstract: Fully edited documents to and from George Washington, comprehensive for the covered period, with scholarly annotations and an analytical index. Major subjects include Continental army administration and planning a punitive offensive against Indians of the Six Nations and Loyalists along the Pennsylvania-New York frontier ultimately known as Sullivan's expedition.
Year: 2009
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-2-revolutionary-war-series-19-15-january-7-april-1779-philander-d-chase-eds/oclc/699882489&referer=brief_results
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813929613

The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series, volume 13, 1 June-31 August 1793 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series, volume 13, 1 June-31 August 1793
Editor: Christine Sternberg Patrick
Abstract: Fully edited documents to and from George Washington, comprehensive for the covered period, with scholarly annotations and an analytical index. Major subjects include efforts to keep the United States neutral during the war between France and Great Britain, problems posed by the French minister Edmond Charles Genet, and relations with Indians in the Northwest Territory and the South.
Year: 2007
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-4-presidential-series-13-1-june-31-august-1793-christine-sternberg-patrick-ed/oclc/315862954&referer=brief_results
Publisher: Univeristy of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813926346

The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series, volume 14, 1 September-31 December 1793 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series, volume 14, 1 September-31 December 1793
Editor: David R. Hoth
Abstract: Fully edited documents to and from George Washington, comprehensive for the covered period, with scholarly annotations and an analytical index. Major subjects include efforts to maintain the neutrality of the United States amid an expanding European war, challenges of frontier defense, and the catastrophic yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia.
Year: 2008
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-4-presidential-series-14-1-september-31-december-1793/oclc/553012225&referer=brief_results
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813927596

The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series, volume 15, 1 January-30 April 1793 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series, volume 15, 1 January-30 April 1793
Editor: Christine Sternberg Patrick
Abstract: Fully edited documents to and from George Washington, comprehensive for the covered period, with scholarly annotations and an analytical index. Major subjects include efforts to maintain United States neutrality in the continuing war between France and Great Britain, the problematic interference with American shipping, and the start of a military expansion after the passage of congressional legislation.
Year: 2009
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-4-presidential-series-15-1-january-30-april-1794-christine-sternberg-patrick-ed/oclc/698877593&referer=brief_results
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813928463

The Papers of George Washington (PGWDE) (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: The Papers of George Washington (PGWDE)
Author: Jennifer Stertzer
Abstract: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition (PGWDE) adds volumes from the letterpress edition on a regular basis. Added in March 2009 were Revolutionary War volumes 15 and 16 and Presidential 13, bringing the total volumes in PGWDE to 55. Addition includes complete integration of the new material into the table of contents and consolidated index. In March 2010, PGWDE added six maps from the letterpress edition. (Battle of Trenton, 25-26 Dec. 1776; Battle of Princeton, 3 Jan. 1777; Delaware Campaign, September to November 1777; Battle of Monmouth, 28 June 1778; Lower New York, 1778-1779; Rhode Island, July-August 1778) Additions to Early Access, pre-release transcriptions of documents, during this period were January 2010 (272 documents) and May 2010 (490 documents). PGWDE moved in November 2008 to the American Founding Era Platform, which provides a single entry point into all digital publications of The American Founding Era. During this grant period, PGWDE continued its ongoing effort to create and maintain a consolidated index, standardize all author and recipient names in metadata, update the repository list to conform with MARC standards, enter corrections as discovered, and link cross references.
Year: 2010
Primary URL: http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN
Primary URL Description: Rotunda is the digital imprint of the University of Virginia Press.
Access Model: Graduated Subscriptions (The University of Virginia Press is working toward free access through an agreement with the Library of Congress)

The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series 20: 8 April-31 May 1779 (Book)
Title: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series 20: 8 April-31 May 1779
Author: George Washington
Editor: Edward G. Lengel, Senior Editor and Volume Editor
Editor: Theodore J.Crackel, Editor-in-Chief
Editor: David R. Hoth, Associate Editor
Editor: Carol S. Ebel, Assistant Editor
Editor: William M. Ferraro, Assistant Editor
Editor: Benjamin L. Huggins, Assistant Editor
Editor: Jennifer E. Stertzer, Assistant Editor
Abstract: Volume 20 of the Revolutionary War Series covers 8 April to 31 May 1779. As it begins, Washington is gathering intelligence in preparation for a summer expedition against the Iroquois Confederacy. After considering various intelligence reports compiled with the help of scouts and spies, he issued comprehensive orders to the expedition’s commander, Major General John Sullivan, laying out his plan of campaign. At the same time, Washington viewed with concern the worsening situation in the south, where the British had captured Savannah, Georgia, and were pressuring Charleston, South Carolina. His attempts to dispatch reinforcements southward were interrupted, however, by a devastating British raid on Portsmouth, Virginia, in early May.Washington’s development of his espionage network in New York City reaped dividends later that month when one of his spies—a double agent—alerted him ahead of time of a British attack up the Hudson River toward West Point. Thanks to this timely intelligence, Washington prepared his troop dispositions and defenses in advance; and although the British managed to capture King’s Ferry, New York, at the end of May, they posed no threat to West Point. Beneath the surface, however, a new and potentially more dangerous threat was brewing: Major General Benedict Arnold, enraged at Washington’s inability to clear up Arnold’s dispute with Congress and the Government of Pennsylvania, initiated secret contacts with the British.
Year: 2010
Primary URL: http://www.worldcat.org/title/papers-of-george-washington-2-revolutionary-war-series-20-8-april-31-may-1779-edward-g-lengel-ed/oclc/699728724&referer=brief_results
Primary URL Description: WorldCat listing
Secondary URL: http://books.upress.virginia.edu/detail%2Fbooks%2Fgroup-3862.xml?q=papers%20of%20george%20washington%20volume%2020
Secondary URL Description: Publisher's listing
Access Model: Book
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Type: Scholarly Edition
ISBN: 9780813930244

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