
author
1814–1877
A vivid historian of the Dutch struggle for independence, John Lothrop Motley brought dramatic energy to the past. His bestselling histories also opened the door to a distinguished diplomatic career in Europe.

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley

by John Lothrop Motley
Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1814, John Lothrop Motley studied at Harvard, Göttingen, and Berlin, where he became friends with the future German statesman Otto von Bismarck. He initially pursued law and briefly served as secretary of the American legation in St. Petersburg before turning fully to literature and history.
Motley became best known for The Rise of the Dutch Republic and History of the United Netherlands, works praised for their extensive research and lively, dramatic style. He also wrote the novels Morton's Hope and Merry Mount, as well as a history of the Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt.
His historical reputation led to public service: he served as United States minister to Austria from 1861 to 1867 and as minister to the United Kingdom from 1869 to 1870. He died in Dorchester, Dorset, in 1877.