The Senator and the Socialite: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty
Language: English
Published by Harper June 2006, 2006
- First Edition
- Signed
- Hardcover
- Used

Seller: Firefly Bookstore, Kutztown, PA, U.S.A.Firefly Bookstore
AbeBooks seller since May 24, 2017
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 23.07
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
This is a marked first edition with full number line or stated edition on copyright page. Dust Jacket is wrapped in mylar Brodart covering, which is removable. Light wear to cover, slightly bumped corners, pages clean and unmarked. Firefly sells new and used books through our store front. We try to add a detailed description to as many titles as possible. If you have questions regarding this title, please contact us. Photos available on request.
Seller Inventory # 387459
- Title
- The Senator and the Socialite: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty
- Author
- Lawrence Otis Graham
- Publisher
- Harper June 2006
- Publication year
- 2006
- Condition
- Used Very Good
- Dust jacket
- Dust Jacket Included
- Signed
- Inscribed and signed by author.
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0060184124
- ISBN 13
- 9780060184124
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Seller catalogs
- Signed Editions/Non-Fiction
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
This is the true story of America's first black dynasty. The years after the Civil War represented an astonishing moment of opportunity for African-Americans. The rush to build a racially democratic society from the ruins of slavery is never more evident than in the personal history of Blanche Kelso Bruce and his heirs.
Born a slave in 1841, Bruce became a local Mississippi sheriff, developed a growing Republican power base, amassed a real-estate fortune, and became the first black to serve a full Senate term. He married Josephine Willson, the daughter of a wealthy black Philadelphia doctor. Together they broke racial barriers as a socialite couple in 1880s Washington, D.C.
By befriending President Ulysses S. Grant, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and a cadre of liberal black and white Republicans, Bruce spent six years in the U.S. Senate, then gained appointments under four presidents (Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, and McKinley), culminating with a top Treasury post, which placed his name on all U.S. currency.
During Reconstruction, the Bruce family entertained lavishly in their two Washington town houses and acquired an 800-acre plantation, homes in four states, and a fortune that allowed their son and grandchildren to attend Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, beginning in 1896.
The Senator's legacy would continue with his son, Roscoe, who became both a protégé of Booker T. Washington and a superintendent of Washington, D.C.'s segregated schools. When the family moved to New York in the 1920s and formed an alliance with John D. Rockefeller Jr., the Bruces became an enviable force in Harlem society. Their public battle to get their grandson admitted into Harvard University's segregated dormitories elicited the support of people like W. E. B. Du Bois and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and broke brave new ground for blacks of their day.
But in the end, the Bruce dynasty's wealth and stature would disappear when the Senator's grandson landed in prison following a sensational trial and his Radcliffe-educated granddaughter married a black Hollywood actor who passed for white.
By drawing on Senate records, historic documents, and the personal letters of Senator Bruce, Josephine, their colleagues, friends, children, and grandchildren, author Lawrence Otis Graham weaves a riveting social history that spans 120 years. From Mississippi to Washington, D.C., to New York, The Senator and the Socialite provides a fascinating look into the history of race and class in America.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Firefly Bookstore
Kutztown, PA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since May 24, 2017
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
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| First item | £ 4.85 | £ 8.22 |
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Located in downtown Kutztown, we are an independently-owned and operated New and Used bookstore. Started in 2012 by two book aficionados, Firefly Bookstore strives to provide the best in diverse products and customer services. In addition to books on almost any subject, Firefly carries a large range of products including cards, bookmarks, audio books, and family tree charts. Additionally, we have a large tabletop game selection, including board games, dice and card games, and Role-Playing titles. We have a wide selection of puzzles from Pomegranate and others. We have in stock new, each year, a large collection of current year Calendars with 100s of titles and styles to choose from, always discounted. We buy and trade books and games whenever the store is open, and we are looking for material for every section. Store credit can be used on new and used material. We are interested in large purchases, such as collections and estate sales. We are particularly looking for gaming books, metaphysics, history, cooking, science, Pennsylvania history and children's books. For current news and announcements, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fireflybookstore. We carry new and used books in our storefront. We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Please contact us if you have questions regarding our items.…
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