Books by Carl J. Richard

The influence of Greek and Roman authors on our American forefathers finally becomes clear in this fascinating book-the first comprehensive study of the founders' classical reading.

Richard explores the enshrinement of the classics in American antebellum culture. For the first time, knowledge of the classics extended beyond aristocratic males to the middle class, women, African Americans, and frontier settlers, but the Civil War led to a radical alteration of the educational system that steadily eroded their preeminence.

As Richard vibrantly describes the contributions of the individuals, he details the historical context in which each lived, showing how these men influenced their world and ours.