Names on the Land: A Historical Account of Place-Naming in the United States by George R. Stewart is a captivating exploration into the origins and evolution of American place names. First published in 1945 by Random House of Canada Limited, this first printing explores the rich tapestry of linguistic, cultural, and historical influences that have shaped the nation's geography. Stewart's narrative traverses from indigenous terms and colonial legacies to the inventive naming by pioneers and legislators, offering readers an insightful journey through the nation's identity as etched on its maps.
Hardcover in original, unclipped dust jacket with the $3.00 price intact. The jacket, illustrated by H. Lawrence Hoffman, remains bright and appealing, with minor chipping at the corners and light wear along the spine edges. Hoffman was known for his captivating illustrations on over 600 book covers, enhancing the visual allure of literature. Internally clean, with no bookplates or markings aside from the previous owner's written initials and date. Protected in a removable archival Mylar jacket cover. A strong, well-preserved copy of Stewart’s influential and enduring study of American place-naming—scarce in this condition.
About the Author
George R. Stewart (1895–1980) was an American writer, historian, and professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley. Best known for his influential post-apocalyptic novel Earth Abides (1949), which won the inaugural International Fantasy Award and became a classic of speculative fiction, Stewart also made significant contributions to American cultural history through his studies of language and geography. A pioneer in the field of toponymy (the study of place names), he authored several works on the subject, including Names on the Land and American Place-Names. Stewart’s writing blends scholarly rigor with an engaging, accessible style, earning him lasting respect across both academic and literary communities.
Editorial Reviews
"George R. Stewart, midcentury novelist and co-founder of the American Name Society, gave onomastics a good name with his classic Names on the Land (1945), a learned and rollicking act of patriotic toponymy." —Wall Street Journal
"Names of the Land chronicles the nomenclatural adventures of explorers, legislators, and common folk and amounts to a fizzy refresher on America's past and her character." —Slate
