{"product_id":"the-colored-aristocracy-of-st-cyprian-clamorgan-9780826221513","title":"The Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1858, Cyprian Clamorgan wrote a brief but immensely readable book entitled \u003ci\u003eThe Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis.\u003c\/i\u003e The grandson of a white \u003ci\u003evoyageur\u003c\/i\u003e and a mulatto woman, he was himself a member of the \"colored aristocracy.\" In a setting where the vast majority of African Americans were slaves, and where those who were free generally lived in abject poverty, Clamorgan's \"aristocrats\" were exceptional people. Wealthy, educated, and articulate, these men and women occupied a \"middle ground.\" Their material advantages removed them from the mass of African Americans, but their race barred them from membership in white society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis\u003c\/i\u003e is both a serious analysis of the social and legal disabilities under which African Americans of all classes labored and a settling of old scores. Somewhat malicious, Clamorgan enjoyed pointing out the foibles of his friends and enemies, but his book had a serious message as well. \"He endeavored to convince white Americans that race was not an absolute, that the black community was not a monolith, that class, education, and especially wealth, should count for something.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite its fascinating insights into antebellum St. Louis, Clamorgan's book has been virtually ignored since its initial publication. Using deeds, church records, court cases, and other primary sources, Winch reacquaints readers with this important book and establishes its place in the context of African American history. This annotated edition of \u003ci\u003eThe Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis\u003c\/i\u003e includes an introductory essay on African Americans in St. Louis before the Civil War, as well as an account of the lives of the author and the members of his remarkable family--a family that was truly at the heart of the city's \"colored aristocracy\" for four generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA witty and perceptive commentary on race and class, \u003ci\u003eThe Colored Aristocracy of St. Louis\u003c\/i\u003e is a remarkable story about a largely forgotten segment of nineteenth-century society. Scholars and general readers alike will appreciate Clamorgan's insights into one of antebellum America's most important communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Cyprian Clamorgan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0826221513\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780826221513\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University of Missouri Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/20\/2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 136\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.50lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.60d","brand":"Cyprian Clamorgan","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47072026460415,"sku":"9780826221513","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_edc619cf-7b0d-41e5-b446-5130340b495e.jpg?v=1753415594","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-colored-aristocracy-of-st-cyprian-clamorgan-9780826221513","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}