Project 1 Assignments: Biography

Referring to the readings, films and site explorations for our class, choose a real person who lived in the Seattle area at some point between 1851 and 1900 and write a 5-page (typed, double-spaced) biography of this person’s life in relation to some of the events that occurred in and around Seattle during that time. You should pick a subject whose life or life circumstances interest you. Your biography can tell the story of your subject's whole life, or just some part of it, but it should show how the subject was involved in or affected by events in the Seattle area--namely, those events represented in the group timeline.

You will need to make a research plan to help you manage your time in the coming weeks. As you make your research plan, think about the research challenges you’ll face. Does your biographical subject count as a “major” or “minor” historical figure? Why? I.e., what do those designations presume? If you choose a “major” historical figure, what kinds of research problems and advantages do you think you’ll encounter? How can you address these issues? If you choose a “minor” historical figure, what kinds of research problems and advantages do you think you’ll encounter? How can you address these issues?

Research plan due: 1/30/08
Biography due: 2/22/08