Reuben Gold Thwaites was an influential American author and historian, born on April 29, 1853, in the small town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. His early life in this frontier community greatly shaped his future interests in American history and literature. Thwaites grew up in an environment rich with stories of exploration and settlement, which would later inform his own writings and historical interpretations.

Thwaites pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin, where he cultivated a passion for literature and history. After completing his studies, he began his career in journalism, which served as a foundation for his literary pursuits. His early works were primarily focused on local history, but he soon expanded his scope to include broader themes in American literature. He became particularly known for his efforts in editing and compiling historical documents, a task that would earn him recognition as a leading historian of the American frontier.

Throughout his literary career, Thwaites wrote and edited numerous notable works. Perhaps his most significant contributions are his extensive compilations of historical documents, including "The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents," which provided invaluable insights into early American history from the perspective of Jesuit missionaries. His other prominent works include "The Story of the American Indian" and "Historic Waterways," which reflect his dedication to preserving and interpreting the narratives of America's past.

In his personal life, Thwaites married Mary L. Thwaites, with whom he had several children. He dedicated much of his later years to academic pursuits, serving as the secretary of the Wisconsin Historical Society and contributing to various scholarly publications. Thwaites passed away on January 22, 1913, in Madison, Wisconsin, leaving behind a rich legacy of historical scholarship and literature that continues to resonate in American studies today.