Reimagining the Republic: Race, Citizenship, and Nation in the Literary Work of Albion W. Tourgee

Albion W. Tourgée (1838–1905) was a significant figure in the social, legal, and literary transformations of the second half of the nineteenth century. He is best known for his Reconstruction novels, such as A Fools Errand (1879) and Bricks without Straw (1880), and his role in the civil rights case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). This volume is the first collection focused on Tourgée's literary work, establishing his reputation as one of the great writers of fiction about the Reconstruction era. The seventeen essays in the volume are grouped around three large topics: race, citizenship, and nation, and include a Preface, Introduction, Afterword, Bibliography, and Chronology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Fordham University Press

Albion W. Tourgée (1838–1905) was a pivotal figure in the second half of the nineteenth century, driving significant social, legal, and literary transformations. Renowned for his Reconstruction novels, including A Fools Errand (1879) and Bricks without Straw (1880), and his crucial involvement in the civil rights case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which challenged Louisiana's law segregating railroad cars, Tourgée authored over a dozen novels, a volume of short stories, and nonfiction works on history, law, and politics. This volume, the first dedicated to Tourgée's literary work, aims to establish his reputation as one of the preeminent fiction writers of the Reconstruction era, renowned for his sweeping historical and geographical scope and his ability to portray multiple perspectives. As a white novelist deeply interested in the rights of African Americans, Tourgée sought to present not a singular Black perspective but rather a diverse range of Black viewpoints, sometimes even conflicting. The challenge lay in honoring these perspectives within the broader context of the story he wished to tell about a multiracial America.

The seventeen essays in this collection are organized around three overarching themes: race, citizenship, and nation. Additionally, the volume features a Preface, Introduction, Afterword, Bibliography, and Chronology that provide an overview of Tourgée's career.

Reimagining the Republic: Race, Citizenship, and Nation in the Literary Work of Albion Tourgée offers a fresh perspective on Tourgée by emphasizing his roles as a writer, editor, and advocate for African American writers. By exploring the entirety of his literary works and cultural engagements, this collection reveals a new Tourgée that resonates with our contemporary moment of renewed interest in literature and politics.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531501365