Bancroft, George. American historian and diplomatist. Born at Worcester, MA, 1800. He graduated at Harvard College 1817; proceeded to Gottingen University, where he took the degree of LL. D. in 1820. Returned home and opened a school at Northampton. In 1845 be became secretary of the navy in the cabinet of President Polk. In 1846 he was sent to great Britain as minister plenipotentiary, remaining in that country until 1849. In 1867 he received the appointment of minister at the Prussian court. His principal works are "History of the United States," and "History of the Revolution." Died 1891.

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