Catherine Kerrison delves into early American history, focusing on the lives and intellectual contributions of women during the colonial and revolutionary eras. Her scholarship explores the intricate interplay of societal norms, gender roles, and female agency within America's formative years. Kerrison meticulously uncovers the narratives of women from diverse backgrounds, shedding light on their often-overlooked influences and challenging traditional accounts to offer a more nuanced understanding of the past. Through her research, she contributes to a deeper appreciation of how women shaped and were shaped by early American society.
Exploring the lives of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters, the narrative contrasts the experiences of two white and free daughters with that of their black enslaved sister. Set against the backdrop of a newly independent America, the book delves into themes of race, freedom, and family dynamics, highlighting how their differing circumstances shaped their identities and life choices in a society grappling with its ideals of liberty and equality.
The first intellectual history of early southern women, situating their reading and writing within the literary culture of the wider Anglo-Atlantic...