Thomas Tyler Alexander

Deeper Introduction

Thomas Tyler Alexander's birthday and day of death are unknown, though it is known that he was a 19th-century British writer and traveler, known mainly for his historical essays. He wasn't a soldier or military historian, but his The Battle of Waterloo: As Viewed From the Battlefield in 1877 captures his style of reflective writing.

Specific Arguments

While Alexander doesn't present any specific arguments regarding military decisions, he does emphasize the battlefield's symbolic and emotional weight. He does argue that the field should remain as evidence of the final blow to Napoleon's empire, as well as a witness to the Allied soldiers' bravery.

My Analysis

Alexander wrote in an observational style, with a mix of emotional rhetoric by bringing in aspects of the battlefield from his personal visit. He did a great job of giving a sense of importance to the Waterloo battlefield and the implications that the battle had on society.

Citation

Alexander, Thomas Tyler. The Battle of Waterloo : As Viewed from the Battlefield in 1877. St. Paul: H. M. Smyth Print. Co., 1886. https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.battleofwaterloo00alex/?sp=3&st=pdf&r=-0.395%2C0.424%2C1.804%2C1.804%2C0&pdfPage=1.