Sentiments of a British-American Woman : Esther DeBerdt Reed and the American Revolution

Le rabat de la jaquette indique : "At the time of her death in 1780, British-born Esther DeBerdt Reed--a name few know today--was one of the most politically important women in Revolutionary America. Her treatise “The Sentiments of an American Woman” articulated the aspirations of female patriots, and the Ladies Association of Philadelphia, which she founded, taught generations of women how to translate their political responsibilities into action. DeBerdt Reed's social connections and political sophistication helped transform her husband, Joseph Reed, from a military leader into the president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, a position analogous to the modern office of governor. DeBerdt Reed's life yields remarkable insight into the scope of women's political influence in an age ruled by the strict social norms structured by religion and motherhood. The story of her courtship, marriage, and political career sheds light both on the private and political lives of women during the Revolution and on how society, religion, and gender interacted as a new nation struggled to build its own identity. Engaging, comprehensive, and built on primary source material that allows DeBerdt Reed's own voice to shine, Owen Ireland's expertly researched biography rightly places her in a prominent position in the pantheon of our founders, both female and male. "

At the time of her death in 1780, British-born Esther DeBerdtReed-a name few know today-was one of the most politicallyimportant women in Revolutionary America. Her treatise "TheSentiments of an American Woman" articulated the aspirations offemale patriots, and the Ladies Association of Philadelphia, whichshe founded, taught generations of women how to translate theirpolitical responsibilities into action. DeBerdt Reed's socialconnections and political sophistication helped transform herhusband, Joseph Reed, from a military leader into the president ofthe Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, a position analogousto the modern office of governor.

DeBerdt Reed's life yields remarkable insight into the scope ofwomen's political influence in an age ruled by the strict socialnorms structured by religion and motherhood. The story of hercourtship, marriage, and political career sheds light both on theprivate and political lives of women during the Revolution and onhow society, religion, and gender interacted as a new nationstruggled to build its own identity.

Engaging, comprehensive, and built on primary source materialthat allows DeBerdt Reed's own voice to shine, Owen Ireland'sexpertly researched biography rightly places her in a prominentposition in the pantheon of our founders, both female and male.

"Esther’s story falls into four broad categories. Chapters 1 through 4 focus on her initiation and management of her courtship (1764–65). Chapters 5 and 6 explore how she and Joseph, living on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, first sought to accumulate the political and economic capital that would allow them to marry and live in London, and then retreated into exile in provincial America (1766–70). Chapter 7 deals with her unhappiness in America, her ever-growing family, and the impressive financial success she and Joseph achieved in Philadelphia between 1770 and 1775. Chapters 8 through 10 probe the nature of her decision for American independence and describe her wartime suffering as well as the Reeds’ rapid political ascent (1776–80). Chapters 11 and 12 detail her extraordinary political summer of 1780, her sudden death, the deterioration and death of Joseph, and the dispersion of their children. The coda offers a final appraisal of Esther DeBerdt Reed’s place among the founders of the American republic." Explores The Life And Work Of Political Publicist And Strategist Esther Deberdt Reed, Who, In A Life Highly Structured By Conflict, National Identity, Religion, And The Overall Importance Of Being A Wife And Mother, Gave Eloquent Expression To The Political Aspirations Of Female Patriots In Revolutionary America--provided By Publisher. Esther : Imprudent And Impatient Love -- Joseph : Love And Calculation -- A Willful Girl Matures -- Responsibilities And Schemes -- Politics : Old World Patronage -- Love Defeats Prudence -- Exiled Where Women Stooped Like Country Girls -- A New Political Identity : They Becomes We -- Unleash The Dogs Of War -- Politics : New World Democracy -- America's Female Politician -- Triumph And Tragedy. Owen S. Ireland. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.