By the Vermont Historical Society

This summer, the Vermont Historical Society will publish a new book: Ira Allen: A Biography, written by J. Kevin Graffagnino, which explores the life of one of Vermont’s most influential figures during the American Revolution and its founding. While not as well known as his famous brother Ethan, Ira was no less important to Vermont’s early history. 

Here’s what the book is about: 

Land speculator, revolutionary, pamphleteer, politician, and empire builder, Ira Allen was a key figure on the Green Mountain frontier. In a remarkable Vermont pioneer generation that included such noteworthy leaders as Ethan Allen, Thomas Chittenden, Moses Robinson, Isaac Tichenor, and Stephen Row Bradley, Allen stood out for his extraordinary energy, vision, and accomplishments.

Allen helped create and sustain the independent State of Vermont; held such important state offices as treasurer, surveyor general, and member of the Governor’s Council; published hundreds of pages defending Vermont against a host of internal and external enemies; and represented Vermont in negotiations with the British Empire, other American states, and Congress.

J. Kevin Graffagnino’s biography ably details Ira Allen’s extraordinary life. As the first published examination of Allen’s career in nearly a century, this book shines new light on Allen and his prominent role in Vermont’s formative decades.   

To prepare for its release on September 13th, we sat down with Kevin to learn a bit more about himself and the long journey this project took to reach print. 

To read this article in its entirety, visit HERE.