TOCQUEVILLE’S “Democracy in America” (1835–40) was the first study of American institutions and of the popular tendencies they foster, made by a man great enough to comprehend and impartial enough to state his conclusions fairly. The book was a result of notes made by Tocqueville during a visit to the United States in 1831, when the French government sent him as a special agent to study the American penal system. The report he made on that subject was recognized as having great merit, but it was not until his “Democracy in America” appeared that his genius was recognized. The work secured his admission to the French Academy, and a much more nearly certain assurance of undying reputation than belongs to the majority of French “Immortals.” It was at once translated into English and accepted by Americans themselves as a political handbook. Scarcely ever before or since has it happened that a foreign observer should be thus recognized by the people of whom he wrote as one of the highest and best authorities on their own habits and tendencies.

  Tocqueville was born at Paris, July 29th, 1805, and educated for the bar. He held a position in the law courts at Versailles for a short time before coming to America, but after the great success of his masterpiece he gave up the law and devoted the rest of his life to literature. He died April 16th, 1859, and his “Complete Works,” edited by De Beaumont, appeared between 1860 and 1865.