John Filson
John Filson was a notable pioneer and author in the early history of Kentucky, primarily recognized for his influential work, *The Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucke and an Essay Towards the Topography and Natural History of That Important Country*. Born to Davison Filson, he received an education at West Nottingham Academy in Maryland, where he developed a strong foundation in languages. His teaching career was interrupted by the Revolutionary War, in which he sustained an arm injury that ultimately forced him to leave the profession.
In 1783, Filson acquired a substantial landholding of twelve thousand acres in Kentucky, where he undertook surveying and educational activities. His experiences and interviews with figures like Daniel Boone provided the content for his landmark publication, which included Kentucky's first map based on observation and became widely popular. The book's most celebrated section was the narrative about Daniel Boone, reflecting Filson's distinctive writing style. Despite having only one published work, Filson is celebrated as Kentucky's first historian, and his legacy is honored through a historical society bearing his name.
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John Filson
- Born: c. 1753
- Birthplace: Chester County, Pennsylvania
- Died: 1788
Biography
John Filson was a pioneer in the state of Kentucky. He is best known for his only published book, The Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucke and an Essay Towards the Topography and Natural History of That Important Country. Filson was the son of Davison Filson. He attended West Nottingham Academy in Maryland, where he learned Latin, Greek, and French; he later returned to the Academy as a schoolmaster. The Revolutionary War interrupted his teaching, and it is believed that Filson wounded his arm in battle. After the war, Filson continued his teaching career but was forced to quit due to the severity of his injury.
In 1783, Filson became the owner of twelve thousand acres in Kentucky and made his first visit to the land. He surveyed the wilderness and taught in Lexington, Kentucky. He used his firsthand observations and Daniel Boone interviews to write The Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucke and an Essay Towards the Topography and Natural History of That Important Country. The book was published with the first map of Kentucky, which was based purely on observation; both parts sold very well. The most popular portion of the book, though, was the Daniel Boone narrative, which sounded like an autobiography but clearly showed signs of Filson’s personal writing style. Although Filson only had a single publication, it is remembered as Kentucky’s first historical account. The state admired Filson so much that there was a historical society created in his name.