James Garfield Trager (1925–2012) was an American writer.
Early life and education
Born in White Plains, New York, and raised in Scarsdale, he pursued a degree in history from Harvard University, graduating in 1946.
Career
Trager initially for Canadian Club whisky, before transitioning to writing. In 1975, Trager invested in an early-generation computer for $10,000 to facilitate the organization of his research. This technological adoption led to the creation of The People’s Chronology, a work significant enough for Microsoft to acquire its rights for digital distribution.
Trager authored ten books, among them Letters From Sachiko: A Japanese Woman's View of Life in the Land of the Economic Miracle (1982), which was noted for its depiction of Japanese life and partly inspired by his second wife, Chie Nishio.
The People's Chronology stands out in Trager's bibliography for presenting a timeline of human events starting from 3 million B.C., based on fossil evidence. The work includes diverse historical facts, from the introduction of Heroin by Bayer in 1898 to the commercial debut of cornflakes by the Kellogg.
Trager expanded his chronology series with The Women's Chronology, The Food Chronology, and The New York Chronology, each focusing on specific themes and their historical significance.
His approach to history emphasized the incremental nature of knowledge and the delayed recognition of events' significance. Trager's works are used as reference materials in libraries and newsrooms, reflecting his dedication to documenting and analyzing historical events and trends.
Personal life
Trager's first marriage was to Olivia A. Hirsch, which ended in divorce in 1967. He is survived by his second wife, two sons, a daughter, and three grandchildren.
References
- ^ Martin, Douglas (2012-03-05). "James Trager, Brought Facts to the Masses, Dies at 86". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- Martin, Douglas (March 10, 2012). "James Trager, 86; historian brought facts to the masses - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- "The New York Chronology: The Ultimate Compendium of Events, People, and Anecdotes from the Dutch to the Present by James Trager". www.publishersweekly.com. n.d. Retrieved 2024-02-04.