INTRODUCTION
IN the preparation of this work two purposes have been kept in view:
First, to supply the general reader in compact form the biographies of a considerable number of the most prominent present-day Americans. This volume gives the main facts about each character down to the present in an appreciative and interpretive sketch such as seldom appears during the life-time of an individual. Although fragmentary material on most of our great leaders may be secured from widely scattered publications, articles having the particular aim and scope of these biographies are rarely if ever found in current literature.[1] The present work meets a need of the reader by providing within a single volume the life stories of forty-three representative living Americans.
Because of its inspirational value, biography is generally given an important place in education. Nevertheless, while the illustrious characters of earlier days—largely heroes of war—are held before us for emulation, all too little attention is paid the men and women—almost exclusively heroes of peace—now making American history. Must the achievements of our present-day leaders be reserved wholly for posthumous eulogies? Surely the perspective of the future is not needed for a due appreciation of their contributions to the progress of mankind. It is thought that a service will be rendered in making accessible now the helpful record of the struggles and successes of eminent Americans belonging to our own time.
Second, to provide inspirational and authoritative
- ↑ The article on Colonel George W. Goethals by Mr. Ray Stannard Baker in the American Magazine, October, 1913, seemed so well suited to the purposes of this volume, that it has been republished here, with the kind permission of Mr. Baker and the Phillips Publishing Co.
