Those Who Labor for My Happiness by Lucia Stanton

Those Who Labor for My Happiness by Lucia Stanton

Our perception of life at Monticello has changed dramatically over the past quarter century. The image of an estate presided over by a benevolent Thomas Jefferson has given way to a more complex view of Monticello as a working plantation, the success of which was made possible by the work of slaves. At the center of this transition has been the work of Lucia """"Cinder"""" Stanton, recognized as the leading interpreter of Jefferson's life as a planter and master and of the lives of his slaves and their descendants. This volume represents the first attempt to pull together Stanton's most important writings on slavery at Monticello and beyond. Stanton's pioneering work revealed Jefferson's psychology in crucial ways, deepening our understanding of him without demonizing him. Perhaps even more important is the light her writings have shed on the lives of the slaves at Monticello. Her detailed reconstruction for modern readers of the life of the slave is more than vivid; it reveals an active role in the creation of Monticello and a dynamic community previously unimagined. The essays collected here address Jefferson and the lives of his slaves from a rich variety of perspectives, from family histories (including the Hemingses) to the temporary slave community at Jefferson's White House to stories of former slaves' lives after Monticello. Each piece is characterized by Stanton's deep knowledge of her subject and by her determination to do justice to both Jefferson and his slaves. Preparation of this volume has been supported by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

Lucia Stanton is Shannon Senior Historian at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780813932231
ISBN 10	0813932238
Title	Those Who Labor for My Happiness
Author	Lucia Stanton
Series	Jeffersonian America
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	University of Virginia Press
Year published	2012-02-29
Number of pages	384
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.