American Artisans: Crafting Society Identity, 1750-1850

takes a fresh look at the role of artisans in the American economy and society in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Going beyond the traditional story of the decline of journeyman status, the authors explore a variety of themese loosely centered around opportunities in the developing economy. Indeed, many of these essays explore entrepreneurial ideals among artisans competing in the marketplace. Contributors to this collection examine the interaction of race and artisan economy in southern cities. They trace the passing down of intellectual capital-skill-from father to son and outline the economic relationships between merchant and artisan. They also explore the culture and politics of artisans, including religion, third-party partisanship, and the interaction of gender and reform. is an important and originial contribution to a field of growing significance.