| Introduction | Scope | Key to Abbreviations and Locations | Subject Headings | Browsing Areas | Encyclopedias | Biographies | History Books | Periodicals | Internet Sources | Atlases | Audio Visual Materials | Curriculum Guides | Databases and Indexes |
Born in 1752 on a plantation in what was then the western frontier of Virginia, George Rogers Clark lived in the time of Thomas Jefferson and Daniel Boone. As a young man, he worked as a surveyor in the wilderness of Kentucky and helped lead its defense during the Revolutionary War. This involved going to war against Native Americans armed by the British, and eventually led to his bold attack on British forces at Vincennes, Indiana. The taking of Fort Sackville at Vincennes, done with only 150 men who had traveled far through horrible winter conditions, was what made Clark famous and earned him the rank of General. A national historic park now honors him on that site.
After the close of the Revolution, Clark founded the towns of Clarksville, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky on the Ohio River. He had gone without pay for the last years of the Revolution and had used his own money and credit to buy supplies for his troops. For the rest of his life, Clark faced bankruptcy and legal problems because he was never repaid. In his later life, Clark had a series of accidents and illnesses. One of the few pleasures of his later years was his pride in his youngest brother, William Clark, who along with Meriwether Lewis, headed up the Corps of Discovery that explored the lands west of the Mississippi.
This research guide serves two purposes. One is to recall George Rogers Clark to teachers and students as a worthy subject for research and discussion, particularly for Indiana History projects. To this generation of students he seems mostly unknown, or is at best confused with his brother, William. George Rogers Clark's contributions, and his controversies, deserve to be studied and remembered.
Secondly, information on George Rogers Clark can be somewhat difficult for students to locate. While information at the elementary and middle school level is available, it is often located within collected biographies or histories of the Revolutionary War where it might not be easily found.
This research guide includes the following types of sources: encyclopedias, biographies and other non-fiction sources, audio visual materials, Internet sources, and resources for teachers. Most of the materials presented here are located in the Monroe County (Indiana) Public Library system and can be accessed by any member of the public with a MCPL library card, or through interlibrary loan from other libraries. The titles are also likely to be available at many public or school libraries.
Teacher resources are from the Indiana University Libraries on the Bloomington campus. Indiana residents may borrow items from IU libraries with a borrower's card. To obtain a borrower's card, simply present picture identification at the library.
Since the materials presented here are intended for students in elementary and middle school, more complex scholarly sources have not been included. Adults interested in this subject will find many more detailed accounts in the Monroe County Public Library's Indiana Room.
The following subject headings may be used when searching for information on George Rogers Clark. Use these terms when searching online catalogs at libraries such as Monroe County Public Library, http://monroe.lib.in.us/. Look for Catalog Search and choose subject from the drop-down menu. In the search box, type one of the subject headings below.
When looking for books with information about George Rogers Clark, it is helpful to browse the library shelves in the areas listed below. Look for books that either name Clark in the title or are about the Revolutionary War, especially the war in the West. Many books about the Revolutionary War include at least some information about Clark.
Encyclopedias are a good place to start your research. They give the basic information and often a list of other places to look for more details. In these encyclopedias you will find short articles, usually just a few paragraphs, about George Rogers Clark. They all follow the same basic format: a very brief description of his early life, a longer section on the capture of Vincennes, and a very brief summary of his life after the war. The encyclopedias do not differ much, with the exception of The Revolutionary War - The American Cause in Peril, which provides more detailed information.
"Compton's is a solid reference, useful for background information on a variety of topics." (Booklist)
"Topics covered include explorers, Indians, government leaders, wars, treaties, and many of the people and events that have helped to shape America's culture and way of life." (Library Journal)
"In this encyclopedia young readers will find biographies of outstanding Americans and Canadians from every field." (Books in Print)
"NBK is designed for elementary- through middle-school-age children, but it also has information of use and interest to adults. Although helpful for reports, this is an encyclopedia that is designed to be read and shared by families." (Booklist)
"An encyclopedia of brief articles intended for use by elementary school students." (Books in Print)
Because it focuses on just the American Revolution, this encyclopedia can provide a longer, more detailed article on George Rogers Clark than the others.
"Profusely illustrated, the 10-volumes of The Revolutionary War is an encyclopedia of the American Revolution written for children. Its straightforward chronological arrangement makes it simple to use." (American Reference Books Annual)
"Designed to meet the research needs of students in elementary through high school, World Book is also a good general encyclopedia for adults. It is current, accessible, easy to use, and well illustrated." (Reference Books Bulletin)
Access these online encyclopedias from the Research Tools page of the MCPL website, http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/databases/researchtools.html , using any computer. You will need your library card number to log on. Search for "George Rogers Clark" in full text. The articles in the online encyclopedias are very similar to those found in the print encyclopedias.
"This new online edition of the well-respected Encyclopedia Americana is exceptionally easy to use and provides a wealth of information at the fingertips of the user." (American Reference Books Annual)
"...goes a step beyond to provide videos, sound bytes, and interactive features for eager young learners and their teachers... a highly recommended resource..." (American Reference Books Annual)
"The World Book database contains the complete text of the print edition and the World Book Dictionary as well as 8,000 articles created for the electronic version and 13,000 Back in Time articles from earlier annual supplements." (Booklist)
Biographies provide information about a person's life and give more details than an encyclopedia. Some are about only one person, while others include several people in the same book. Both kinds are listed here.
This book is the best and most recent biography of Clark available for young people. It gives a very complete history of Clark that is easy to read and has lots of good illustrations. The glossary, index, timeline, and list for further reading are also very helpful. Part of the Revolutionary War Leaders Series.
This older book is a fictionalized biography of Clark. The author has made up dialog for some of the characters to make it more fun to read. The events seem to be accurate, but there is not as much information here as in George Rogers Clark: American General. Part of the Events of the Revolution Series.
This is a book with lots of biographies, one of which is about George Rogers Clark. There are lots of good details about the battles during the Revolutionary War, especially Vincennes, but not much about Clark's life outside of the war.
These books have some information about George Rogers Clark, but he is only part of the story. These books about the American Revolution mention the role Clark played in that war.
This book is easy to read but covers some big ideas, such as why Indian fighters like Clark were heroes to the settlers and how the lives of the Native Americans changed as settlers moved to the frontier. Provides a well-balanced portrayal of both Clark and the times in which he lived.
"...makes history seem exciting and relevant, and the format is friendly and attractive: the very antithesis of stodgy textbooks, and perfect for middle school, junior high, or reluctant readers." (KLIATT Review)
This book gives the usual information about Clark's military career. What makes it different is that it also contains projects that could be used to make a school assignment very special, such as making a fringed hunting shirt, creating a powder horn, and sewing a pouch.
Focuses on the march to Vincennes, and particularly, the killing of several Native Americans at the fort by Clark. By showing that Clark could be cruel, and also giving his explanation for his actions, readers get a more thoughtful and less perfect picture of Clark.
"Kent particularly notes the human suffering that both sides experienced and explains how, ultimately, the ingenuity and persistence of the American rebels won out...offers a helpful framework for beginning students of the Revolution." (Horn Book)
The entry under George Rogers Clark is actually part of a letter by the British leader he captured at Vincennes, General Hamilton. It explains Hamilton's feelings after watching Clark kill the Native Americans there. Reading the words of a different participant in this battle gives readers another perspective.
"Meltzer has culled from a mountain of material these 38 snatches of letters, diaries, journals, memoirs, interviews, ballads, newspapers, pamphlets, and speeches to depict life and events in the American colonies in the late 1700s. His purpose is to help readers understand the Revolution as a human experience..." (KLIATT Review)
The information given here is the standard recounting of the march to Vincennes and its capture, but the real value lies in the way the information is presented. The use of many illustrations, including three famous paintings, a map of troop movements, and a photo of a Virginia sword carried by one of Clark's men, brings the story to life.
"These two slim, heavily illustrated volumes in the Battles and Leaders series may appear slight, but in fact they are filled with great information and statistics that are not always immediately available..." (Booklist)
Unlike the others in this section, this book concentrates mostly on George Rogers Clark as the most important of the frontiersmen during the Revolution. Waller manages to show the importance of Clark's accomplishments without trying to make Clark perfect. Though it is longer at 136 pages, the chapters are short with lots of pictures and maps.
"Good and readable narrative history completed for the bicentennial." (Indiana Historical Bureau)
Magazines or journals are good sources of detailed information. This magazine devoted an entire issue to the life of George Rogers Clark.
"Historic photographs, original illustrations, primary documents, maps, activities, and contests complement the text and appeal to young readers. To ensure historical accuracy and interesting reading, COBBLESTONE works closely with historians, leading children's writers, and museum personnel." (Publisher)
Volume 25 Issue 8 (November 2004) articles include:The Internet is full of information. Some of it is very good, but some of it is not. The websites listed below will give you good information about George Rogers Clark, including some things that are hard to find in books.
Take a look at the sections on Clark's relations with Native Americans and on his later life. This information is often missing from sources that focus mostly on Clark's part in the Revolutionary War.
A good summary of Clark's life, including his arguments with the United States government following the War.
This web page provides information about the Clark Memorial building, from its design to its dedication by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936.
These web pages show what the inside of the Memorial looks like. There are very famous wall paintings, or murals, inside that show important scenes from Clark's battle at Vincennes.
This web page gives short descriptions of several Native American tribes from around this area who were involved in the Revolutionary War. It is important to understand why the Native Americans and the White settlers fought with each other, in this case because it influenced the Revolutionary War. George Rogers Clark fought against and worked with Native Americans for most of his life.
This web page provides lots of details about Clark's march to capture the fort at Vincennes. It includes maps and information about weapons, flags, and the local people who aided Clark.
This web page describes Clark's life after the Battle of Vincennes, his difficulties with the U.S. government, his accidents and bad health, and finally his death.
Here you will find information about the annual re-enactment of the battle at Vincennes, where participants dress in the uniforms and clothes of the time and act out the famous battle and life in the late 1700s.
Locust Grove, Kentucky was the home of Clark's sister Lucy and her husband William Croghan, who was Clark's partner and friend. General Clark spent the last nine years of his life at Locust Grove. "Locust Grove tells the story of George Rogers Clark, early Kentucky history, western expansion, and everyday life on the frontier."
This web page has a short biography of Clark, which tells about his personality, what he did outside the military, and his dedication to the frontier he loved and fought to protect.
On this page we find quotes from Clark's letters, speeches, diaries, and memoirs. It includes parts of a persuasive speech to a gathering of Native American chiefs and also his demand for British surrender at Vincennes.
This short biography of Clark is part of a larger site on the Revolutionary War. If you are interested in the other battles and people from Clark's time, this site is for you!
Atlases provide some text, but are most helpful for their maps. Although Clark is only mentioned briefly, this atlas has a useful map showing the location of the three forts Clark took from the British. It helps us see how alone these forts were, so far from the colonies.
"The strength of this volume is its full-color captioned illustrations, excellent photographs, and clearly labeled maps that show events and trace the nation's development." (School Library Journal)
These short films about George Rogers Clark are entertaining and informative.
"The life of George Rogers Clark emphasizing his campaigns against British forts in the Old Northwest during the time of the American Revolution." (Publisher)
"This is the story of George Rogers Clark and his courageous frontiersmen who fought on the Kentucky and Illinois frontier during the American Revolution. To help end British-inspired Indian attacks on Kentucky settlements, these brave men defied tremendous odds to capture Ford Sackville from the British in 1779." (Publisher)
These lesson plans and activities were designed specifically for a unit on George Rogers Clark.
"Local history can provide the impetus for fascinating studies, and Indiana has a wealth of interesting history for this purpose... This curriculum guide has been developed to give pupils and teachers some specific suggestions for studying the events taking place in Kentucky and in the Illinois Country during the American Revolution." (from the Foreword)
"These lessons are designed as a unit to be used across the curriculum. The worksheets are written at fourth grade level, but could be adapted." (from the Foreword)
A guide intended to facilitate field trips to the Historical Park, including contacts and other general planning information, suggested activities, a bibliography of materials, story starters and report topics, and a list of other historic sites in Vincennes.
Databases and indexes provide lists of other sources, such as books and magazines. Some are in print only, some are electronic, and some are available in both formats. Those listed below were used to find materials for this research guide and would be helpful in locating additional materials. The electronic databases can be accessed through the IU Bloomington Libraries Web page. A user name and password are required. The best search strategy was generally to use "George Rogers Clark" as a keyword or subject.
"A cumulative index to biographical materials in books and magazines." (Publisher)
"Indexes biographical entries in about 2700 reference books, covering contemporary and historical figures." (Biography and Genealogy Master Index)
"Full-text biographical information on more than 185,000 people from throughout history." (Biography Resource Center)
"ERIC, the Educational Resource Information Center, contains more than 2,200 digests along with references for additional information and citations and abstracts from over 980 educational and education-related journals." (ERIC)
"Primary Search, designed specifically for elementary school libraries and public library children's rooms, contains full text for more than 60 popular, elementary school magazines. All full text articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). In addition to the full text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for nearly 100 magazines. This database also provides the American Heritage Children's Dictionary, 3rd Edition from Houghton Mifflin, and an Image Collection of 107,135 photos, maps and flags." (Primary Search)
