Coming to Terms with Democracy: Federalist Intellectuals and the Shaping of an American Culture, 1800–1828

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments 0Scholarship is usually a very private affair, requiring hours of solitary study and the acceptance of personal responsibility for whatever shortcomings exist in the end. This attempt is no different. But like most others it has also benefited from the contributions of others. At the University of California at Berkeley, where this book began as a doctoral dissertation , the contributions of my committee were invaluable. Richard Hutson encouraged me to believe, correctly I hope, that a certain naı̈veté regarding American literature might not prove too great a disadvantage. Robin Einhorn’s energetic reading of early drafts helped me place my narrative within a far richer context. Most importantly, Jim Kettner allowed me the freedom to work through my own questions and supported me with the gentle encouragement that characterizes all fine teachers. At various stages other individuals—most notably Henry May, Charles Royster, and Daniel Howe—read at least some portion of the manuscript and contributed more than they probably realized. At the University Press of Virginia, Richard Holway provided a reassuring appreciation for my questions and an unfailing sense of how to strengthen my answers. My family, extended and immediate, assisted in more personal ways. Most rewarding was the support of my children, who were a part of this project from its inception. Lucas, a night owl since birth, provided latenight company as I began my research. John, who read the first chapter when he was twelve and the last just before heading off to college, reassured me that both my narrative and analysis were worth reading. Anna helped pack my bags when I took off on writing retreats and through x 0 acknowledgments frequent calls kept me in touch with the personal history that was always most important. But above all others, I am indebted to my wife, Khris. As collaborator, editor, and critic, she left her mark on most every page. In more ways than she knows, but only she could begin to realize, this work is as much hers as it is mine. For this reason it is dedicated to her. coming to terms with democracy ...