E Gould BuffumEdward Gould Buffum was born in 1820 in Rhode Island to Arnold Buffum, a well-known philanthropist active in New England social reform. He began his career in journalism at the New York Herald, where he established himself as a capable writer. When te Mexican American War broke out in 1846, Buffum left his position and joined the military, eventually being sent to California as part of his regiment. His time in California coincided with the early years of the Gold Rush, an experience that later formed the basis of his book Six Months in the Gold Mines. This work captured his firsthand observations of the societal transformation occurring in the region and offered an early literary account of the goldfields. After his military service, Buffum remained active in journalism and public life, eventually serving a term in the California State Assembly. Later in life, he traveled to Europe, where he continued to write and report. He died in Paris in 1867 at the age of 47. Buffum's writings remain a valuable record of a pivotal time in California's development. Read More Read Less