"The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898— Volume 11," is a monumental historical work that provides a comprehensive and in-depth account of the Philippines' colonial past. This collection of stories by Emma Helen Blair attempts to compile many of her classic thoughts consolidated in a single draft and offer them at an affordable price so that everyone can read them. some stories are interesting and amazing, while other softly creep up on you and pull you in. Emma Helen Blair, along with her co-editor James Alexander Robertson, demonstrated meticulous research and dedication to historical accuracy in compiling this series. Each volume delves into different periods and events in the Philippines' history under Spanish colonial rule. The series examines various aspects of the archipelago's development, including the interactions between the Spanish colonizers and the indigenous communities, religious missions, political developments, and cultural exchanges. Emma Helen Blair's contributions as an accomplished historian and scholar ensured that the series became an invaluable resource for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the rich and complex history of the Philippines. Through her work, Blair has left an enduring legacy in the field of Philippine studies, shedding light on the country's past and its enduring impact on its identity and development.
Emma Helen Blair (1869-1951) was an American historian and author known for her significant contributions to Philippine history and also scholarship. Born on July 19, 1869, in Ohio, she pursued her education at Ohio Wesleyan University and later at Columbia University. Blair's passion for history and research led her to collaborate with James Alexander Robertson, an esteemed scholar, in editing and compiling "The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898" series. This monumental project spanned fifty-five volumes and covered the colonial history of the Philippines from the 16th to the 19th century. The comprehensive series showcased her expertise in meticulously examining and also presenting historical documents and narratives. Her work significantly contributed to a deeper understanding of the Philippines' complex past and its interactions with various colonial powers. Her commitment to historical accuracy and attention to detail earned her a reputation as a meticulous and reliable historian. Beyond her contributions to Philippine history, and main thing that Emma Helen Blair also authored "The Philippine Policy of Secretary Taft" and co-wrote "A History of the Philippine Islands" with Robertson. Both of these works further demonstrated her dedication to scholarship and the exploration of the Philippines' political and social developments.
James Alexander Robertson was born in Corry, Pennsylvania, in 1873. He was the sixth of eight children born to Canadian parents who became naturalized citizens of the United States after moving to Corry in 1866. His father, John McGregor Robertson, was a builder from Verulam, Ontario, close to Peterborough. His mother, Elizabeth Borrowman Robertson, immigrated to Canada as a child from her native Scotland. When Robertson was seven years old, his mother died. After three years, he and his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where James finished his secondary education. In 1892, he enrolled in Adelbert College at Western Reserve University for graduate study. He studied in Romance languages, majoring in Old French, and received his Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Western Reserve University in 1896.
