Related reading to learn more about clarence king, one of the protagonists of passing strange, see thurman wilkins, clarence king. King was noted for his exploration of the sierra nevada mountain range. Clarence rivers king january 6, 1842 december 24, 1901 was an american geologist. Clarence king has often been written about by historians, but mostly in academic books about the mapping and geological exploration of the. Passing strange meticulously sometimes too meticulously. This book is destined for awards, and it will deserve every one of them. Sandweiss takes a mountain of information and transforms it into a smooth, captivating narrative. Traces the secret double life of a nineteenthcentury scientist and surveyor of the postcivil war american west, revealing the mixed heritage that enabled him to cross color lines and conduct a second existence as a black pullman porter and steelworker with an africanamerican wife and five multiracial children. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line ebook written by martha a. This book was wellreceived at the time and has been called one of the great scientific works of the late nineteenth century. Sandweiss read in passing that clarence king a caucasian male famous in the 19th century as a surveyor of the vast frontier and a bestselling author about. Passing strange tells the dramatic tale of a family built along the fault lines of celebrity, class, and race from the todds wedding in 1888 to the 1964 death of ada, one of the last surviving americans born into slavery, and finally to the legacy inherited by clarence kings granddaughter, who married a white man and adopted a white child.
Clarence king was born january 6, 1842, in newport, r. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line clarence king sandweiss 2009 1st ed hardcover dj new 5. Passing strange tells the strange story of clarence king, a late 19th century american scientist, writer, and adventurer. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line sandweiss, martha a. Clarence king 18421901, american geologist and mining engineer, was the first director of the u. In her book passing strange, history professor martha sandweiss uncovers the secret double life of clarence king, a wellknown figure in the. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line sheds light on our complicated ideas about race. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line kindle edition by sandweiss, martha a download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Clarence king 1842 1901 white geologist, black husband. Passing strange tells the dramatic tale of a family built along the fault lines of celebrity, class, and racefrom the todds wedding in 1888, to the 1964 death of ada king, one of the last surviving americans born into slavery. American history is much more complex and richer than traditional history books have portrayed.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read passing strange. Clarence king was a geologist, a bestselling author and a liar. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line. A caucasian man named clarence king is descended from a wealthy family of importers from newport ri. But as martha sandweiss shows in passing strange, king led a double life, passing as a black man in order to marry ada copeland, who was very likely born a slave and who was as far outside kings social and intellectual circle as a woman could possibly be. Clarence king is a hero of nineteenthcentury western history. Martha sandweiss talked about her book passing strange. Sandweiss unearths a compelling tale of secret racial identity. But people believe what they want to, and pale, blueeyed king lived a double life as a white man and a black man, which spanned the breadth of new york. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading passing strange.
Passing strange tells the dramatic tale of a family built along the fault lines of celebrity, class, and racefrom the todds wedding in 1888 to the 1964 death of ada, one of the last surviving americans born into slavery, to finally the legacy inherited by clarence kings granddaughter, who married a white man and adopted a white. King created an alternate identity as james todd, pullman porter, and hid a thirteen. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line, examines why king chose to live a double. Clarence king is a hero of nineteenth century western history. Sandweiss, explores the dual life of clarence king the new york times one man leads 2 lives as 2 different races the true story of clarence king, a scientist from the highest reaches of new england society, who lived a second life passing as a black man, married to a black woman. He was a friend of many prominent politicians and public figures including john hay, the secretary of state under mckinley and theodore roosevelt.
Clarence king has often been written about by historians, but mostly in academic books about the mapping and geological exploration of the american west. Clarence kings ancestry went back to alfred the great, the magna carta, and the massachusetts bay colony. Brilliant scientist and witty conversationalist, bestselling author and architect of the great surveys that mapped the west after the civil war, king was named by john hay the best and brightest. The book does not claim to be anything but a history book and its a very lively and engaging one. What do you think clarence king would think of your book, if he could read it.
The strange tale of clarence king clarence king was a geologist, a bestselling author and a liar. Passing strange untangles some of the history of americas gilded age through an amazing story of clarence king and ada copeland. He lived an elaborate double life, and his story told by martha sandweiss in her book, passing strange. Passing strange a gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line. A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line penguin press. He leads an exciting life and is a 19th century celebrity. King is a fascinating fellow and the information about him is very interesting.
Both books deal with passing, passing strange about a white man living as black, illuminated life discussing da costa greenes living as white, and have illuminating and interesting things to say about the u. In passing strange, martha sandweiss, professor of history at princeton university, undertakes to tell the story of kings secret marriage to an africanamerican woman. University of new mexico press, 1988 james gregory moore, king of the 40 th parallel. He also turns up in biographies and literary histories, since he moved in glittering circles and was once widely held in high regard.
Over the centuries, countless americans have passed in one way or another. But as martha sandweiss shows in passing strange, king led a double life. Passing strange tells the dramatic tale of a family built along the fault lines of celebrity, class, and racefrom the todds wedding in 1888 to the 1964 death of ada, one of the last surviving americans born into slavery, to finally the legacy inherited by clarence kings granddaughter, who married a white man and adopted a white child in. These words were uttered in 1885 by clarence king, a renowned figure in his day. Covering a century of american history, including geographical expansion, economic trends, and social values could have proved too plodding for one read. A biography, revised and enlarged edition albuquerques. A uniquely american story of selfinvention, love, deception, and race. Clarence rivers king january 6, 1842 december 24, 1901 was an american geologist, mountaineer and author.
A gilded age tale of love and deception across the color line audiobook by martha a. Passing strange and millions of other books are available for instant access. Sandweiss tells the dramatic, distinctively american tale of a family built along the fault lines of celebrity, class, and race a story that spans the long century from civil war to civil rights. In his adulthood, he becomes quite wellknown as an explorer and surveyor of the american west and associates with the upper echelon of high society, business, and government. Passing strange is a uniquely american biography of clarence king, who hid a secret from his gilded age cohorts and prominent family. Sandweiss suggests in passing strange, her intriguing tale of lovers crossing racial lines in. Sandweisss posts on the penguin blog the secret double life of the man who mapped the american west, and the woman he loved clarence king was a late nineteenthcentury celebrity, a brilliant scientist and explorer once described by secretary of state john hay as the best and brightest of his generation. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The true story of clarence king, a 19thcentury scientist from the highest reaches of new england society, who lived a second life passing as a. He was the first director of the united states geological survey from 1879 to 1881. Wellborn traveler, scientist, explorer and writer clarence king enjoyed great privilege. A caucasian man named clarence king is descended from a wealthy family of.
Passing strange tells the dramatic tale of a family built along the fault lines of celebrity, class, and racefrom the todds wedding in 1888 to the 1964 death of ada, one of the last surviving americans born into slavery, and finally to the legacy inherited by clarence kings granddaughter, who married a white man and adopted a white child. Sandweisss posts on the penguin blog the secret double life of the man who mapped the american west, and the woman he loved clarence king was a late nineteenthcentury celebrity, a brilliant scientist and explorer once described by secretary of state john hay as the best and brightest of his. The story of the marriage between ada copeland and clarence king is a terrific tale, especially given the era and his prominence. In the words of western historian sandweiss american studiesamherst coll print the legen.
1515 880 177 802 1320 1111 955 1467 713 1220 1009 1225 851 205 1171 623 720 353 1478 1422 776 451 555 362 653 1248 1019 532 179 1137 932 1178 587 1465 917 1394 875 1465 1391 900 1444 1057 1235