The first book on beekeeping printed in America--A complete guide for the management of bees, through the year, by a Farmer of Massachusetts-- appeared in 1792. It was based on the work of Englishman, D. Wildman, who had published a similar manual in 1773. Various short works followed, many of which promoted patented hives.

Thomas Miner wrote the first comprehensive guide for American beekeepers, The American Bee Keepers Manual, which was first published in 1849. While Miner's work was important treatise that was updated by several new editions, it has always been overshadowed by the works of three giants of American beekeeping who followed him: L. L. Langstroth, Moses Quinby and A. I. Root.