author
Thomas Balch
1821–1877
A 19th-century American historian and lawyer, he is best remembered for writing about the American Revolution and the French role in it. His work helped preserve documents and perspectives that still matter to historians today.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Leesburg, Virginia, on July 23, 1821, Thomas Balch became an American historian, lawyer, and civic figure whose writing focused on early American history and international affairs. He studied at Columbia College, read law in New York, and was admitted to the bar before settling in Philadelphia.
Balch is best known for his research on the American Revolution, especially on France's part in the war. One of his most noted books, The French in America during the War of Independence of the United States, 1777–1783, grew from work he first wrote in French and later translated into English. He also wrote on topics such as international arbitration and diplomacy, showing a lasting interest in how nations handle conflict.
Alongside his writing, he served in public life in Philadelphia, including work on the city councils. He died in Philadelphia on March 29, 1877, leaving behind historical studies valued for their careful attention to documentary evidence and transatlantic history.