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Wikipedia:Peer review/John Appleton/archive1

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This peer review discussion has been closed.
I've listed this article for peer review because I have worked on this article, and I wish to bring it to good article status. My fiancee is from Bolivia, and me being from America, I became interested in US-Bolivian relations. I figured I would start with the first US Ambassador to Bolivia. Turns out this guy was pretty active and influential in his lifetime.

Thanks, —Michael Jester (talk · contribs) 05:38, 16 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Comments by Euryalus

[edit]

I've given the article a quick copyedit, but have a few additional suggestions to fill some gaps. It's evident these gaps are principally the result of limited source availability, so feel free to simply note the impossibility of any of my views. I raise them only having regard for the GA criterion 3a - that we are utilising every obtainable and credible means to fill out and explain Appleton's biography.

Lead

  • I've rearranged this into a four-para summary. The article covers his diplomatic roles in greater detail than his legal and political ones, and this is reflected in the lead. But I wonder if this is an accurate reflection of Appleton's life, or just a reflection of this article? Views welcome.

Early life

  • Father was a "well known citizen" of Portland - do we know what he was well known for and/or what his occupation was?
    • Was unable to find it. I see that you have access to JSTOR, which is awesome.
  • Appointed as editor of the Argus - If relevant, it would be good to state who appointed him. The current wording also provides an odd career jump from law to media (this might be my fault in copyediting this section).
  • Law office 2 - the way it currently reads, it's not clear why closing a law office is relevant to political aspirations. Again, this could be my fault in copyediting, in which case rectification welcome.

Political career: Chargé d'affaires to Bolivia

  • Term - Appleton presented his credentials in Jan 1849 and departed in May - he spent more time travelling there than he did serving in the role. Do the sources suggest a reason for this very short term?
    • He actually lost interest, according to American Council of Learned Societies 1943, p. 330. It states "Living conditions were unattractive, diplomatic amenities were few, and there was little work to attend to." Added a sentence about it.—Michael Jester (talk · contribs) 14:08, 4 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • "During his term ..." - implies Appleton didn't carry out Buchanan's instructions, and instead conducted his own studies. Is that accurate? If not, it would be good to detail what he did to uphold his official role. If his most notable activity was study, did he produce any work or publish any conclusions?
    • No, he did follow the instructions followed by Buchanan, however, there was a lot of spare time. During it that's when he conducted his own study. He was in the works with a book on the history of Bolivia, but he left for the US before completion.—Michael Jester (talk · contribs) 03:54, 5 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Political career: HoR and London

  • Congress - long shot, but it's possible his speeches exist somewhere in a published form, as part of the Congressional record. If so, they might offer some insights into Appleton as a person, or into his political views.
  • Envoy to London - pardon my ignorance but what was the American role in resolving the Crimean War? This needs a little more context so we can understand what Appleton was seeking to achieve as envoy.'

Political career: Assistant Secretary

  • Health - he resigned from the paper due to ill health, but immediately took a presumably more demanding role as Assistant Secretary of State? I'm also guessing the health issue is TB, but it would be good to spell that out here if sources permit.

Death

  • This could be expanded with details of who in his family survived him, and what his legacy was.

References

Images

  • Are fine, though one or two more would be nice.

External links look OK.

Overall an entertaining read, though the understandable gaps in sources leave you wondering at the human story that must lie behind the career summary. Euryalus (talk) 14:13, 2 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

No worries. I've found a source linking Appleton's Bolivian appointment with US interest in South American independence movements - will add it later today as context. Also, do you know the name of the ship he took to Bolivia? I can maybe find more detail that way. Euryalus (talk) 01:14, 3 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]