Apostle of Union

A Political Biography of Edward Everett

By Matthew Mason | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

Known today as “the other speaker at Gettysburg,” Edward Everett had a distinguished and illustrative career at every level of American politics from the 1820s through the Civil War. In this new biography, Matthew Mason argues that Everett’s extraordinarily well-documented career reveals a complex man whose shifting political opinions, especially on the topic of slavery, illuminate the nuances of Northern Unionism. In the case of Everett — who once pledged to march south to aid slaveholders in putting down slave insurrections — Mason explores just how complex the question of slavery was for most Northerners, who considered slavery within a larger context of competing priorities that alternately furthered or hindered antislavery actions.

By charting Everett’s changing stance toward slavery over time, Mason sheds new light on antebellum conservative politics, the complexities of slavery and its related issues for reform-minded Americans, and the ways in which secession turned into civil war. As Mason demonstrates, Everett’s political and cultural efforts to preserve the Union, and the response to his work from citizens and politicians, help us see the coming of the Civil War as a three-sided, not just two-sided, contest.

Editions of Apostle of Union

Hardcover
ISBN 9781469628608
Paperback
ISBN 9781469666075
EBook
ISBN 9781469628622
EBook
ISBN 9798890846501
EBook
ISBN 9781469628615
PDF
ISBN 9798890846495

Read an Excerpt

Known today as “the other speaker at Gettysburg,” Edward Everett had a distinguished and illustrative career at every level of American politics from the 1820s through the Civil War. In this new biography, Matthew Mason argues that Everett’s extraordinarily well-documented career reveals a complex man whose shifting political opinions, especially on the topic of slavery, illuminate the nuances of Northern Unionism. In the case of Everett — who once pledged to march south to aid slaveholders in putting down slave insurrections — Mason explores just how complex the question of slavery was for most Northerners, who considered slavery within a larger context of competing priorities that alternately furthered or hindered antislavery actions.

By charting Everett’s changing stance toward slavery over time, Mason sheds new light on antebellum conservative politics, the complexities of slavery and its related issues for reform-minded Americans, and the ways in which secession turned into civil war. As Mason demonstrates, Everett’s political and cultural efforts to preserve the Union, and the response to his work from citizens and politicians, help us see the coming of the Civil War as a three-sided, not just two-sided, contest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apostle of Union about?

Known today as “the other speaker at Gettysburg,” Edward Everett had a distinguished and illustrative career at every level of American politics from the 1820s through the Civil War. In this new biography, Matthew Mason argues that Everett’s extraordinarily well-documented career reveals a complex man whose shifting political opinions, especially on the topic of slavery, illuminate the nuances of Northern Unionism. In the case of Everett — who once pledged to march south to aid slaveholders in putting down slave insurrections — Mason explores just how complex the question of slavery was for most Northerners, who considered slavery within a larger context of competing priorities that alternately furthered or hindered antislavery actions.

By charting Everett’s changing stance toward slavery over time, Mason sheds new light on antebellum conservative politics, the complexities of slavery and its related issues for reform-minded Americans, and the ways in which secession turned into civil war. As Mason demonstrates, Everett’s political and cultural efforts to preserve the Union, and the response to his work from citizens and politicians, help us see the coming of the Civil War as a three-sided, not just two-sided, contest.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Apostle of Union?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general > Biography: historical, political and military

Where can I read a sample of Apostle of Union?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469628608

How long is Apostle of Union and how many pages does it have?

Apostle of Union has 448 page(s)

Is Apostle of Union part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Civil War America

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Apostle of Union?

Matthew Mason

Who is the Publisher of the book Apostle of Union?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Apostle of Union is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469628608) and paperback(ISBN 9781469666075) and ebook(ISBN 9781469628622) and ebook(ISBN 9798890846501) and ebook(ISBN 9781469628615) and pdf(ISBN 9798890846495)

Where can I buy Apostle of Union online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Apostle of Union from below

Where can I buy Apostle of Union?