Berthold Fernow facts for kids

Berthold Fernow (born November 28, 1837, in Inowrocław, Prussia – died March 3, 1908) was an important historian, author, and librarian in America. He was born in what is now Poland, but he moved to the United States and became a key figure in preserving and writing about American history, especially the history of New York.

Who Was Berthold Fernow?

Berthold Fernow was born in 1837 in a place called Inowrocław, which was then part of Prussia (a powerful country in Europe) and is now in Poland. His father, Edward Fernow, was an important government official, and his mother, Bertha de Jachmann, was the sister of a high-ranking naval officer named Eduard von Jachmann.

Early Life and Education

Berthold went to school at a type of high school called a gymnasium. He studied at the Royal Gymnasium of Our Lady in Magdeburg, and later at a similar school in Bromberg (now called Bydgoszcz). He finished his education there in 1858.

Serving His New Country

After finishing school, Berthold Fernow moved to the United States. This was a time of great change in America, as the American Civil War began soon after. Berthold joined the Union Army and served as a lieutenant with the 3rd U.S. Colored Troops. He also worked as a topographical engineer, which meant he helped map out the land.

A Life in History

After the war, Berthold Fernow dedicated his life to history. He became one of the state librarians in Albany, New York. In this role, he was in charge of many important historical documents and records. He worked hard to organize and share these old papers so that people could learn from them.

His Important Works

Berthold Fernow was also a busy writer and editor. He helped put together several important books about the history of New York. He edited volumes 12, 13, and 14 of Documents Relating to the Colonial History of New York, which were published between 1877 and 1885. These books contained old papers from when New York was still a colony.

He also edited State Archives (volume 1, 1887) and Records of New Amsterdam (7 volumes, 1897–98). New Amsterdam was the original name for New York City when it was first settled by the Dutch. Berthold also wrote his own book called Albany and its Place in the History of the United States (1887). He even wrote many articles for magazines about different historical topics. He also contributed to Wilson's History of New York, a large four-volume work published between 1892 and 1893.

Berthold Fernow's work helped many people understand the early history of New York and the United States.