The "American Review of History and Politics and General Repository of Literature and State Papers" ("American Review") was the first quarterly magazine published in the United States (1811-12). Its editor, Robert Walsh, was considered to be one of the leading men of letters of his era. Located in Philadelphia, the 26-year-old Walsh developed a publication to report regularly on the activities of governments in Europe, particularly in Great Britain. His quarterly was modeled after the popular British periodicals, such as the "Annual Register of England," and the articles concerned matters such as the political struggle between France and Great Britain and also gave attention to President James Monroe and the United States Congress. The publication also contained much nonpolitical material. Walsh used book reviews, which took the form of lengthy essays; speeches; and essays on history, society, geography, and science. Walsh wrote most of the material himself, but did use contributors when they made manuscripts available. Walsh was forced to cease publication of his magazine after only eight issues because of unfavorable political conditions (his pro-English position was unpopular in 1812), lack of contributors, and few subscribers. (Author/FL)