Charles Henry Ambler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Henry Ambler
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| Born | August 12, 1876 New Matamoras, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 1957 (aged 81) Ashland, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Lawnwood Cemetery, Morgantown, West Virginia |
| Occupation | Historian, Professor of history, Civil Servant, Sheriff |
| Spouse | Helen Mary Carle / Ambler |
| Children | Mary Elizabeth Ambler Mary Louise Ambler |
Charles Henry Ambler (born August 12, 1876 – died August 31, 1957) was an important American historian, teacher, and public servant. He was known for his many writings about the history of Virginia and West Virginia. Ambler was especially good at explaining how the American Civil War led to the creation of West Virginia. He was also praised for using new ways to research history. People called him part of the "modern school of historians" because of his fresh approach. Throughout his career, he wrote many books and articles about early Virginia, the Civil War, and the movement of people westward.
Early Life and Learning
Charles Henry Ambler was born on August 12, 1876, in Matamoras, Ohio. He grew up in St. Marys, West Virginia. In 1920, he married Helen Mary Carle. They had two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Louise.
From 1894 to 1900, Ambler taught in public schools in Pleasants County, West Virginia. He also served as the sheriff of Pleasants County in 1900–1901. In 1901, he started studying at West Virginia University. He earned his first degree in social sciences in 1904 and a master's degree in 1905.
Later, he went to the University of Wisconsin. There, he met Frederick Jackson Turner, a famous historian. Ambler earned his doctorate degree in history in 1908. His first book, Sectionalism in Virginia from 1776 to 1861 (1910), was based on his doctorate work.
After that, Ambler taught history and political science at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia until 1917. While teaching there, he found the forgotten diary of John Floyd. Floyd was the 25th Governor of Virginia from 1830 to 1834. Ambler used this diary a lot when he wrote a book about John Floyd's life.
For the next thirty years, Ambler was a key member of the history department at West Virginia University. He was even the head of the department from 1929 to 1946. He also started the West Virginia and Regional History Collection in the university library. This collection helps preserve important historical documents.
Later Years and Legacy
Charles Ambler was a respected historian. He was the president of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association in 1942–43. He also served as a state lawmaker for Monongalia County from 1951 to 1955.
Ambler was an expert on the history of education in West Virginia before it became a state. He believed that problems with the free school system in the 1840s were due to the state government not making effective laws.
His 1958 book, West Virginia, the Mountain State, was an updated version of his earlier work, A History of West Virginia (1933). In this book, he explained how the large mountain ranges in Virginia led to social differences. These differences eventually caused political debates and led to the creation of West Virginia as a separate state.
Ambler was also a member of the American Geographical Society, the Masonic Order, and the International Order of Odd Fellows. One of his most important achievements was helping to create the West Virginia and Regional History Collection at the West Virginia University library. This collection is a valuable resource for anyone studying the history of the region.
Charles Ambler passed away on August 31, 1957, at the age of 81. He is buried at Lawnwood Cemetery in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Works
Charles Ambler wrote at least 50 works, published in 198 different ways. Some of his books were even published after he died. His research was very detailed and explored many topics that historians had not looked at much before.
Some of his important works include:
- Sectionalism in Virginia from 1776 to 1861 (1910)
- The life and diary of John Floyd, governor of Virginia (1918)
- A history of transportation in the Ohio valley (1932)
- A History of West Virginia (1933)
- George Washington and the West (1936)
- Francis H. Pierpont, Union War Governor of Virginia and father of West Virginia (1937)
- West Virginia, the Mountain State (1940, reprinted 1958)
- West Virginia; stories and biographies (1942)
- A history of education in West Virginia; from early Colonial times to 1949 (1951)
