Adventures of a Frontier Naturalist ― The Life and Times of Dr. Gideon Lincecum; 25th Anniversary Edition

Twenty-five years ago, Jerry B. Lincecum, Edward H. Phillips, and Peggy A. Redshaw published Adventures of a Frontier Naturalist. Collated from four overlapping memoirs, some not previously published, Gideon Lincecum’s account of his life as Indian trader, physician, and naturalist is lively and full of insight. Lincecum’s experiences of following the frontier in the early 1800s, all the way from Georgia to Texas, were not so unusual in themselves, but the intellect and wit that inform his memoirs make them unique. His scientific articles and collections of specimens, his correspondence with leading scientists of the time, and his six years among the colony of ex-Confederates in Tuxpan, Mexico, offer a first-hand perspective on that age.

Lincecum portrays many aspects of frontier social life, including marriage and divorce, slavery, education, religion, the social life of the Choctaws and Chikasaws, medical controversies, and the building of towns. He vividly describes the unspoiled flora and fauna of Texas in 1835 and tells tales of hunting deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl.

This anniversary edition includes a new foreword by Jerry B. Lincecum and Peggy A. Redshaw, offering their insights into the relevance of Gideon Lincecum’s writings today.

JERRY B. LINCECUM is a direct descendant of Gideon and professor emeritus of English at Austin College. EDWARD H. PHILLIPS was professor emeritus of history at Austin College. PEGGY A. REDSHAW is professor of biology at Austin College.