author
James H. (James Henderson) Blount
1869–1918
A lawyer, soldier, and judge who later became a sharp critic of American rule in the Philippines, he wrote from direct experience inside the system he was judging. His work still stands out for its firsthand view of empire, war, and independence in the early 20th century.
1 Audiobook
The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912
by James H. (James Henderson) Blount
About the author
Born in Clinton, Georgia, in 1869, James H. Blount studied at the University of Georgia and then at Columbia Law School before building a career in law and public service. He also served in the Spanish-American War and later held posts in the Philippines, including service as a United States district judge there.
Blount is best known as the author of The American Occupation of the Philippines, 1898-1912 and Philippine Independence—When? His books drew on his own experience in the islands and argued forcefully about American policy, making him an important contemporary voice in debates over imperialism and self-government.
He died in 1918. Along with his published books, his surviving letters and official record show a life spent close to major political events of his time, which helps explain the authority and urgency readers still find in his writing.