Bibliograph

British supporters of the American Revolution, 1775-1783, the role of the 'middling-level' activists, Sheldon S. Cohen

Type

Label

British supporters of the American Revolution, 1775-1783, the role of the 'middling-level' activists, Sheldon S. Cohen

Language

eng

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

British supporters of the American Revolution, 1775-1783

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Oclc number

192175039

Responsibility statement

Sheldon S. Cohen

Series statement

Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

Sub title

the role of the 'middling-level' activists

Summary

America's Declaration of Independence, while endeavouring to justify a break with Great Britain, simultaneously proclaimed that the colonists had not been 'wanting in attention to our British brethren', but that they had 'been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity'. This overstatement has since been modified in comprehensive histories of the American Revolution. Gradually a more balanced portrait of British attitudes towards the conflict has emerged. In particular, studies of pro-American Britons have exemplified this fact by concentrating on only a small upper-class minority. In contrast, this work focuses on five unrenowned men of Britain's 'middling orders'. These individuals actively endeavoured to aid the American cause. Their efforts, often unlawful, brought them into contact with Benjamin Franklin, for whom they befriended rebel seamen confined in British gaols. Their stories - rendered here - open up new areas for study of the American War on this middling segment of Britain's social structure.--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

The setting -- William Hodgson, pro-American London merchant -- Thomas Wren, Portsmouth's patron of American liberty -- Reuben Harvey, Irish "friend" of American freedom -- Robert Heath, evangelist and humanitarian -- Griffith Williams, friend of Benjamin Franklin, friend to American liberty

Creator