The Country for Me: Joel Palmer and the Shaping of Oregon

The Country for Me is the first full biography of Joel Palmer (1810–81), born in Canada to American parents, who played a central role in the political and economic shaping of Oregon. Having traveled on the Oregon Trail three times, he wrote a popular trail guidbook used by later emigrants. Palmer’s experience in public life and government service during his first five years in Oregon led to his federal appointment as superintendent of Indian Affairs for the territory. Palmer is honored by Native Nations in Oregon because he generally considered their conditions and honestly presented a federal government pledge to protect and support their interests. He did not use his office for personal enrichment, a legacy that did not adhere to most federal agents in their dealings with Native peoples.In this nuanced biography of one of Oregon’s most significant nineteenth-century leaders, William L. Lang uses Palmer’s story as a means to better understand the context and realities of change in Oregon as it transitioned from a contested territory to a state.

About the Author

William L. Lang is professor emeritus of history at Portland State University. He is the founding editor of Oregon Encyclopedia of History and Culture and the author and editor of numerous books, including the coauthor of Two Centuries of Lewis and Clark: Reflections on the Voyage of Discovery. Lang is the great-great-great-grandson of Joel Palmer.