Scandal at Bizarre

"What happened on the night of October 1, 1792, is the centerpiece of this social history of post-revolutionary Virginia planter society. Kierner (history, Univ. of North Carolina, Charlotte) uses that night's event-an apparent case of infanticide-to open a window to the social, political, and cultural life of a society in transition. The rumor spread that Nancy Randolph of the prominent Randolph family of Virginia had a baby that night and that the father was her sister's husband and distant cousin, Richard Randolph. Although Nancy claimed that she had a miscarriage and that Richard's single brother Theo was the father, the rumors persisted. This story shows the crumbling of this society as even prominent families were openly criticized and challenged by working-class whites and slaves. She examines the important role played by slaves and how they used gossip as a form of social rebellion. Kierner follows the life of Nancy Randolph who ultimately led a full and successful life, marrying the prominent New Yorker Gouverneur Morris and raising their son."--Library Journal.

המשפט הראשון: "When traveling in Virginia, you must be prepared to hear the name of Randolph frequently mentioned," observed the Marquis de Chastellux in 1782.

שנה

2004

שפה

English

הוצאה

University of Virginia Press

מהדורות

1

עמודים

246

ISBN

9780813926162

מקור הנתונים: Wikidata