Stephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas (Volume 3) (Watson Caufield and Mary Maxwell Arnold Republic of Texas Series)

The Texas State Historical Association is pleased to offer a reprint edition of Stephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas, Gregg Cantrell’s path-breaking biography of the founder of Anglo Texas. Cantrell’s portrait goes beyond the traditional interpretation of Austin as the man who spearheaded American Manifest Destiny. Cantrell portrays Austin as a borderlands figure who could navigate the complex cultural landscape of 1820s Texas, then a portion of Mexico. His command of the Spanish language, respect for the Mexican people, and ability to navigate the shoals of Mexican politics made him the perfect advocate for his colonists and often for all of Texas. Yet when conflicts between Anglo colonists and Mexican authorities turned violent, Austin’s accomodationist stance became outdated. Overshadowed by the military hero Sam Houston, he died at the age of forty-three, just six months after Texas independence. Decades after his death, Austin’s reputation was resurrected and he became known as the “Father of Texas.” More than just an icon, Stephen F. Austin emerges from these pages as a shrewd, complicated, and sometimes conflicted figure. A foundation for greatness, 1793-1810 Successes and failures, 1810-1818 New beginnings, 1819-1820 Texas, 1820-1821 Mexico, 1821-1823 Empresario Estevan F. Austin, 1823-1825 Staying the course, 1825-1827 Crises, personal and political, 1828-1830 We will be happy, 1830-1831 The call of duty, 1832-1833 Prison, 1833-1834 War is our only resource, 1835 The road to independence, 1835-1836 Home, 1836 Epilogue. The Father of Texas: Stephen F. Austin in retrospect. "Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," has long been enshrined in the public imagination as an authentic American hero, but one who was colorless and rather remote. This book, the first major biography in more than seventy years, brings Austin's private life, motives, personality, and character into sharp focus, revealing a driven man who successfully mixed effort and cunning, idealism and pragmatism to build an illustrious career."--BOOK JACKET. This is a groundbreaking biography of the founder of Anglo Texas. Gregg Cantrell's portrait goes beyond the traditional interpretation of Austin as the man who spearheaded American Manifest Destiny. Cantrell portrays Austin as a borderlands figure who could navigate the complex cultural landscape of 1820s Texas, then a portion of Mexico.