A True Republican
The Life of Paul Revere
by Jayne E. Triber
Portraying the man behind the myth, A True Republican goes beyond the
famous "ride" to explore Paul Revere's larger role in the American
Revolution, the evolution of his political thought, and his
transformation from Revolutionary artisan to entrepreneur in the early
republic. Jayne E. Triber's insightful reading of both primary and
secondary sources- - including government documents, Masonic records,
and Revere's personal and business papers - illuminates the social,
cultural and economic factors that shaped Revere's Revolutionary
activities as well as his ardent interpretation of republicanism.
Through the lens of one man's life, Triber explores the meaning and
attraction of republicanism for artisans, the social structure of
Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary America, the importance of
Freemasonry, and the development of political parties in the newly
formed republic.
"The best full biography we have of Revere." - Gordon S. Wood, author of
The Radicalism of the American Revolution
"Based on extensive work in the papers of Revere and his contemporaries,
as well as in the Boston press, this book provides a solid, believable
picture of Revere. It will become the first resort for scholars looking
for information on Revere and his connections and will fill an important
gap in the literature of the period. Its clear writing and relative
brevity should make it valuable for classroom use and there should be a
broader interest from general readers." - Steven C. Bullock, author of
Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the
American Social Order
"Triber has given us the fullest picture we have of Revere by showing
that his real significance lies not in the folklore engendered by
Longfellow's poem, but in his representative significance as a leader in
an emerging working-class culture in which personal ambition, upward
mobility, patriotism, and a sincere regard for the public good helped
energize the revolutionary cause. Her study is a fine example of the
way in which an arresting historical narrative can be combined with
social analysis of a high order.... a triumph in the voluminous
historical literature on republican ideology and the Revolution." -
Irving H. Bartlett, professor emeritus, University of Massachusetts,
Boston
Jayne E. Triber is an independent scholar and a former employee of the
Paul Revere House.
