Investing in Life: Insurance in Antebellum America

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

Investing in Life Insurance in Antebellum America  S H A RO N A N N M U R PH Y The Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore © 2010 The Johns Hopkins University Press All rights reserved. Published 2010 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1 The Johns Hopkins University Press 2715 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363 www.press.jhu.edu Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Murphy, Sharon Ann, 1974– Investing in life : insurance in antebellum America / Sharon Ann Murphy. p. cm. — (Studies in early American economy and society) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8018-9624-8 (hbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8018-9624-X (hbk. : alk. paper) 1. Life insurance—United States—History—19th century. 2. Insurance companies—United States—History—19th century. 3. United States—Economic conditions—To 1865. I. Title. HG8951.M87 2010 368.3200973⬘09034—dc22 2009043629 A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. Special discounts are available for bulk purchases of this book. For more information, please contact Special Sales at 410-516-6936 or specialsales@press.jhu.edu. The Johns Hopkins University Press uses environmentally friendly book materials, including recycled text paper that is composed of at least 30 percent post-consumer waste, whenever possible. All of our book papers are acid-free, and our jackets and covers are printed on paper with recycled content. In memory of Mildred Bradley Murphy, one of “the girls” at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in the 1930s. Her boundless love and indomitable spirit always inspired me. April 30, 1914–April 24, 2006 This page intentionally left blank ...