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James Thomson Callender, Culture, and Controversy in the Early American Republic
Weitzman, Amy
Weitzman, Amy
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.
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2024-05-01
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History