John Warner Barber facts for kids
John Warner Barber (born February 2, 1798 – died June 1885) was an American engraver and historian. He was famous for his books about the history of states, towns, and local areas. His books featured amazing illustrations that showed what cities, towns, and the countryside looked like in his time.
Contents
John Warner Barber's Life Story
John Warner Barber was born in East Windsor, Connecticut. He learned how to make prints from Abner Reed, a printmaker in his hometown. In 1823, Barber started his own business in New Haven. There, he created religious and history books. He illustrated these books with his own wood and steel engravings.
Traveling and Collecting History
Barber traveled all around Connecticut. He made ink sketches of town greens, hotels, schools, churches, and harbors. As he traveled, he also gathered local history stories. He also studied the works of other historians.
From all his travels and research, he created a famous book. It is now often called Connecticut Historical Collections. The full title is very long! It describes interesting facts, traditions, and stories about every town in Connecticut.
A Popular History Book
This book has been called "the first popular local history published in the U.S." It sold very well. About 7,000 copies were sold in its first year. This was impressive because the book cost three dollars, which was about a week's pay back then. Twelve years later, the book was printed again and sold well once more.
Today, Barber's wood engravings are well known. However, not many copies of the original Connecticut Historical Collections book are left. Sadly, some antique dealers break apart the books to sell the individual woodcuts.
How Barber Made His Art
Barber started his illustrations with rough pencil sketches. Then, he made them more detailed using wash drawings. After that, he transferred these drawings directly onto small blocks of boxwood. He then engraved the designs onto these blocks.
He would talk with townspeople and collect local documents. He also made quick sketches everywhere he went. His illustrations show each town center with its homes, churches, and schools. They also show sailboats on rivers or harbors. Sometimes, you can even see a factory with smoke coming out. Often, there's a tiny person or two in the picture. This person is often Barber himself, wearing his top hat, sketching the scene.
John Warner Barber passed away in New Haven, Connecticut in June 1885.
Gallery
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Barber's View in Main St., Cleveland, Ohio, around 1856-1860
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Barber's Western View of Potsdam, New York (around 1856-1860)
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Barber's View of the center of Bethlehem (published 1836), thought to be the earliest picture of this Connecticut town.
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Barber's N.E.View of PENN YAN, Yates Co., N.Y. (around 1856-1860)
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Groton Monument and Fort Griswold
His Books
- Historical Scenes in the United States (1827)
- History and Antiquities of New Haven (1831)
- Religious Events (1832)
- Historical Collections of Connecticut (1836)
- Historical Collections of Massachusetts (Worcester, 1839)
- A History of the Amistad Captives, coauthored by E.L. Barber (New Haven, 1840)
- History and Antiquities of New England, New York, and New Jersey (1841)
- Historical Collections of New York, coauthored by Henry Howe, of New Haven (1841)
- Elements of General History (New Haven, 1844)
- Historical Collections of New Jersey, coauthored by Henry Howe, of New Haven (1844)
- Historical Collections of Virginia, coauthored by Henry Howe, of New Haven (1844)
- Incidents in American History (New York, 1847)
- Historical Collections of Ohio, coauthored by Henry Howe, of New Haven (1847)
- Religious Emblems and Allegories (1848)
- Historical, Poetical, and Pictorial American Scenes, coauthored by Elizabeth G. Barber (1850)
- European Historical Collections (1855)
- Our Whole Country, Historical and Descriptive (Cincinnati, 1861)
