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gentlewomen and learned ladies women and elite formation in eighteenth century philadelphia
this engaging and important study explores womens central involvement in the creation of an elite class in colonial philadelphia . it shows how major mercantile families adopted an english model of class identity and adapted it to the realities of colonial life in the mid atlantic region . critical figures in this process of elite formation wealthy women employed strategies in marriage consumption education and leisure that established them and their male kin as the dominant social and cultural figures in the quaker city and its hinterland . in the process women themselves enjoyed increased intellectual opportunities and political power as well as other privileges of elevated social rank that blunted the limitations they faced living in a highly patriarchal culture . when the american revolution launched its democratic challenge to aristocratic and imperial structures womens commitment to the elite social rank they had helped create ensured its survival . sarah fatherly is associate professor of history and director of womens studies at otterbein college .
hardcover lehigh university press 2008 isbn13 9780934223942 isbn10 0934223947
abridged n isbn 13 9780934223942 number in series 1 number of pages 244 publisher associated univ pr release date 62135769600000 series title studies in eighteenth century america and the atlantic world