Date Thesis Awarded
5-2024
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Arts (BA)
Department
History
Advisor
Catherine Kelly
Committee Members
Paul Mapp
Jessica Stephens
Abstract
This thesis analyzes James Thomson Callender's role in early United States political culture. Most famous for his role in exposing the Hamilton-Reynolds and Jefferson-Hemings affairs, James Callender was a muckraking journalist in the United States between 1793 and 1800. "James Thomson Callender, Culture, and Controversy in the Early American Republic" first argues that Callender identified popular values about gender, race, and sex and effectively used them to orchestrate political smear campaigns. This study further argues that, regardless of regional differences and the party affiliations of his audience, the public could not avoid Callender or the issues he raised. Lastly, this study argues that Callender influenced politicians so strongly because he stood on the fringe of honor culture. While he existed in an honor culture, he willingly deviated from it and could attack politicians for vices that other journalists would not. He threatened private honor as much as public reputation as a result. Using newspapers, pamphlets, and correspondences, this thesis challenges the neglect and hostile portrayals of Callender in historiography.
Recommended Citation
Weitzman, Amy, "James Thomson Callender, Culture, and Controversy in the Early American Republic" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 2157.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/2157
