Charles Willson Peale supported the American Revolution, fought in the Revolutionary Army, and served in the Pennsylvania state assembly. His role as a committed revolutionary is not what earned him a high ranking place in American history, though.
Peale learned saddle making in his youth and attempted to open his own shop in adulthood. When that failed, several rich benefactors pooled resources to send him to England to learn painting. When he returned, he quickly made a name for himself in portraiture. His political views as a Revolutionary and a Freemason enabled him to come in contact with major Revolutionary figures and paint portraits of them.
He also opened a revolutionary museum where he displayed plants and animals in an effort to educate Americans on local biology. Though the museum eventually closed, its impact was significant.
His portraits provided succeeding generations with a glimpse into the personalities of famous figures in the founding of the United States. His museum removed some of the mystery from nature and provided future museum curators with a framework for natural museums. Peale was an artist who used his craft to elucidate the history of the American revolution.
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia, book editor and publisher, encourages the use of art as an interpretive tool for historical events.
The first of the three figures who so succinctly conveys Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia's approach to history is the famous statesman Thomas Jefferson. He played a pivotal role in American history for his authorship of the Declaration of Independence and subsequent introduction of the concept of inherent rights into the American political vernacular.
Jefferson went on to serve as Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President, and President. He was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase and the expedition of Lewis and Clark into the new land. Jefferson also played a significant role in the design and formation of the University of Virginia.
Many biographies fail to adequately account for the sources of Jefferson's inspiration. His educational background exposed him to the work of British philosopher John Locke whose thoughts on government and society likely had a major impact on a young Jefferson.
Through his actions, Jefferson brought philosophical thought into the framework of history, thereby intertwining the depth of human thought with the march of human events.
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia is a book retailer and book publishing service with a particular yen for works that reveal the interdependence of history, philosophy, and art. We invite authors to submit works for review and possible inclusion into our specialized book list.
Avid history readers and writers alike have three questions when they come across our website. They wonder who we are, what factors elevate us from the pack, and why we chose three specific historical figures to represent our motto, "Where History, Philosophy, and Art Meet."
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia is a well known publisher and book publishing service that specializes in memoirs and the study of American history. We manage every aspect of editing and publishing the works we choose for inclusion into our repertoire.
Though a book is not revealed by its cover, a publisher is judged by what he chooses to produce. We do not have an allegiance to a particular location or era in the historical accounts we choose to convey. Instead, we select books that exemplify our theory that the course of human events is closely intertwined with and shaped by the ideals and thoughts of contemporary philosophy and art.
Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, and Charles Willson Peale are prime examples of this line of reasoning and, for that, their beaming portraits grace our website. We hope the reader is influenced to see history in a new light through our book selection.
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia is constantly looking for authors and titles to grace our online bookshelves. Suggestions from history buffs and submissions from authors can help us achieve our goal.
