author
Thurman William Van Metre
1884–1961
An early 20th-century economist and transportation writer, this author explored how trade, railroads, and commerce helped shape the United States. His books are especially appealing for listeners interested in economic history and the growth of modern transportation.
1 Audiobook
Outline of the development of the internal commerce of the United States 1789-1900
by Thurman William Van Metre
About the author
Born in Indiana in 1884, Thurman William Van Metre studied at Indiana University and later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to write works on American economic history, internal commerce, and transportation, building a career around explaining how business and trade developed in the United States.
His books include Economic History of the United States, An Outline of the Development of the Internal Commerce of the United States, 1789–1900, and Transportation in the United States. He also coauthored Principles of Railroad Transportation and wrote about rail travel in a clear, practical style that connected large economic trends with everyday systems people depended on.
Van Metre died in 1961. His writing remains useful for readers and listeners who want a grounded introduction to American commerce, railroads, and the economic forces behind national expansion.