Stephen Fuller Austin 1793–1836
Founder of English-speaking Texas
Stephen Austin grew up in Missouri on the American frontier. Later, he moved even further west to Texas, which was then part of Mexico. Austin helped more than 1,500 English-speaking families settle on land in Texas. He believed the settlers would succeed if they took part in their own government. He appointed leaders in the new communities and solved problems between settlers.
Austin traveled to the capital in Mexico City several times to speak up for the rights of Texas settlers. Austin wanted Texas to become a Mexican state. When he saw that the Texan settlers wanted independence, however, he agreed to lead them in the revolution that followed. The settlers won, and Texas was an independent country. The new president of Texas appointed Austin secretary of state. Over time, Austin became known as the “father of Texas.”
Critical Thinking
Why do you think Austin is known as the “father of Texas”?