Mar 31, 2008 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Behind the scenes or, thirty years a slave and four years in the white house is. Summary of behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini excerpt. A vibrant social history set against the backdrop of the antebellum south and the civil war that recreates the lives and friendship of two exceptional women. Behind the scenes by elizabeth keckley and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Elizabeth keckley was an activist, renowned dressmaker, and successful businesswoman, and an associate of prominent washingtonians during the mid1860s.
Books by elizabeth keckley author of 12 years a slave gold. Louis to become the modiste and confidante of first lady mary todd lincoln, articulated in her autobiography, behind the scenes. Elizabeth keckley, mary lincolns talented turncoat the. Elizabeth keckleys most popular book is twelve years a slave.
Put to work at the age of 4, keckley suffered from the indignities and brutality of slavery, but she learned to read and write, and to sew. Behind the scenes by elizabeth keckley, paperback barnes. The novel paints a broad picture of what it must have been like to live in america during that age, and revisits the lives of the remaining members of the former. New york times bestselling author jennifer chiaverini illuminates the extraordinary friendship between mary todd lincoln and elizabeth hobbs keckley, a former slave who won her freedom by the skill of her needle, and the friendship of the first lady by her devotion. Elizabeth keckley has 17 books on goodreads with 9737 ratings. Half memoir, half fiction, this volume chronicles keckleys time spent as a slave and her later life in the white house during the american civil war. Originally published in 1868when it was attacked as an indecent book authored by a traitorous eavesdropperbehind the scenes is the story of elizabeth keckley, who began her life as a slave and became a privileged witness to the presidency of abraham lincoln. When elizabeth keckley wrote her 1868 autobiography behind the scenes. How former slave elizabeth keckley befriended the lincolns. Elizabeth hobbs keckly 18181907 was a former slave turned successful seamstress who is most notably known as being mary todd lincolnas personal modiste and confidante, and the author of her autobiography, behind the scenes. This is the autobiography of elizabeth keckley, a former slave who bought her freedom with the money she earned as a seamstress. Elizabeth keckley began working as a nursemaid when she was four years old, and endured years of beatings and rape, the. Or, thirty years a slave and four years in the white house by keckley, elizabeth and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Elizabeth keckley how former slave elizabeth keckley befriended the lincolns an excerpt from the memoir of a woman who bought her own freedom and became a dressmaker for mary todd lincoln. Dec 31, 2018 elizabeth keckley was a former slave who became the dressmaker and friend of mary todd lincoln and a frequent visitor to the white house during the presidency of abraham lincoln. Elizabeth keckley quotes author of 12 years a slave gold. Lincolns dressmaker, novelist jennifer chiaverini presents a stunning account of the friendship that blossomed between mary todd lincoln and her seamstress, elizabeth lizzie keckley, a former slave who gained her professional reputation in washington, d. What are elizabeth keckleys most admirable qualities. Elizabeth keckley was a former slave who became the dressmaker and friend of mary todd lincoln and a frequent visitor to the white house during the presidency of abraham lincoln. In behind the scenes, elizabeth keckley tells of the 30 years she spent in. Elizabeth keckley was born into slavery in 1818 in virginia. Lincoln who was ridiculed by many at the time following the old clothes scandal. When i was about fourteen years old i went to live with my masters eldest son, a. Elizabeth keckley was an activist, renowned dressmaker, and. None of us are perfect, for which reason we should heed the voice of charity when it whispers in our ears, do not magnify the imperfections of others. Catering to the wives, daughters, and sisters of washingtons political elite, she included among her.
Elizabeth keckley was born as a slave in virginia about 1818. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Elizabeth keckley is an admirable heroinesuccessful, selfmade, and utterly sympathetic. Each book contains a short summary and is otherwise unaltered from the original publication. She provides a unique perspective of preindustrial life in america, as well as intriguing commentary of both her white and black. As public drama privately experienced, keckleys work presentsjefferson davis and his wife, abraham lincoln and mary todd lincoln, and even stephen douglas and mrs. Born into slavery in february 1818, elizabeth hobbs keckley was the daughter of her owner, armistead burwell, and his house slave, agnes. We who are crushed to earth with heavy chains, who travel a weary, rugged, thorny road, groping through midnight darkness on earth, earn our right to enjoy the sunshine in the great hereafter. Puzzled by elizabeth keckley, famously portrayed through time as mary lincolns only friend in washington. Behind the scenes or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house language.
Elizabeth keckley began working as a nursemaid when she was four years old, and endured years of beatings and rape, the latter of which resulted in a pregnancy. Although keckley intended this narrative as a defense of both herself and mrs. He is the author of to tell a free story and editor or coeditor of more than thirty books on. It is a fascinating book, filled with many recollections of her own life and her interactions with the lincolns and other members of the government elite. Elizabeth hobbs keckley 18191907 was born into slavery, the daughter of a house slave and her first owner. Elizabeth keckley, mary lincolns dressmaker and friend. This slim book, written by elizabeth keckley, onetime modiste of mary todd. Part slave narrative, part memoir, and part sentimental fiction, behind the scenes depicts elizabeth keckleys years as a slave and subsequent four years in abraham lincolns white house during the civil war 18611865. Behind the scenes is the life story of elizabeth keckley, a shrewd. The cloud had no silver lining, but i trust that it will be all silver in heaven. Lincolns dressmaker is a wonderful noveljennifer chiaverini has researched her history well, and writes elegantly and formally.
An fascinating read by author elizabeth keckley herself, an insider to the lincoln white house. Discover book depositorys huge selection of elizabeth keckley books online. Lincolns dressmaker, novelist jennifer chiaverini presents a stunning account of the friendship that blossomed between. Half memoir, half fiction, this volume chronicles keckley s time spent as a slave and her later life in the white house during the american civil war. Elizabeth was born into slavery, raped by her white master, and betrayed by her husband. She developed into an accomplished seamstress and the income from her dressmaking supported the family that enslaved her. Born into slavery in 1818, elizabeth hobbs keckley also spelled keckly learned to sew from her mother and this skill would eventually bring her freedom and success.
Why, missus keckley, said she to me one day, i is been here eight months, and missus lingom ant even give me one shife. Books by elizabeth keckley elizabeth keckley average rating 3. The perspective is thirdperson and emphasizes the historical and real over image and gossip. Elizabeth keckley was a black slave who, through a series of circumstances that led to her freedom, was commissioned by mary todd. Keckley was also a woman, and black, making the story of her rise, and eventual fall, thrilling and. She was best known as the personal modiste and confidante of mary todd lincoln, the first lady as an enslaved woman, she was owned by her father, armistead burwell, and later his daughter who was her halfsister. Jan 23, 2019 elizabeth hobbs keckleys story was not unlike many others, except that her master was actually a presbyterian minister. Pg 7 chapter i where i was born my life has been an eventful one. Although she encountered one hardship after another, with sheer determination, a network of supporters and valuable dressmaking skills. Librivox recording of behind the scenes, by elizabeth keckley. An autobiographical narrative, behind the scenes traces elizabeth keckleys life. Lincolns dressmakerand there is even a little bit of quilting in the story. This is a wonderful autobiography of elizabeth keckley s unique life of a slave who buys her freedom as a seamstress, eventually working for both mrs jefferson before the war then mrs lincoln during the war.
Oct 23, 2014 puzzled by elizabeth keckley, famously portrayed through time as mary lincolns only friend in washington. This is a good book to read because it is a collection of letters and stories from elizabeth keckley, a slave before and during the war between the states. Her memoir, which was ghostwritten and spelled her surname as keckley though she seemed to have written it as keckly and published in 1868, provided an. Elizabeth hobbs keckleys story was not unlike many others, except that her master was actually a presbyterian minister. When i was about fourteen years old i went to live with my masters eldest son, a presbyterian minister. My birthplace was dinwiddie courthouse, in virginia. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini reading. Largely a satire of american culture, society, and behavior, it critiques the vacuity of middleclass american behind the scenes. I have excluded everything of a personal character from her letters. The following is an excerpt from her book thirty years a slave, published in 1868. Books by elizabeth keckley author of 12 years a slave.
This vintage book contains elizabeth keckley s 1868 work, behind the scenes. The baby was named elizabeth, and it was pleasant to me to be assigned a. Lincolns dressmaker by jennifer chiaverini book club. Other articles where elizabeth keckley is discussed. American slave, seamstress, and author elizabeth keckley c. Apr 24, 20 elizabeth keckley was born into slavery in 1818 in virginia.
This vintage book contains elizabeth keckleys 1868 work, behind the scenes. I was born a slavewas the child of slave parents therefore i came upon the earth free in godlike thought, but fettered in action. Readers of the elm creek quilt series who have enjoyed chiaverinis narrative jaunts into civil war and underground railroad history will be interested in mrs. Behind the scenes elizabeth keckley all you can books. Feb 28, 2020 born into slavery in february 1818, elizabeth hobbs keckley was the daughter of her owner, armistead burwell, and his house slave, agnes. Summary of behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave. February 1818 may 1907 was a former slave who became a successful seamstress, civil activist, and author in washington, dc. This is the autobiography of a freed slave named elizabeth keckley who spent four years as mary todd lincolns personal dressmaker and was her close friend and confidant. The elizabeth keckley reader, volume 2 by smith mckoy, sheila and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. She was best known as the personal modiste and confidante of mary todd lincoln, the first lady. Catering to the wives, daughters, and sisters of washingtons political elite, she included among her clientele mary todd lincoln, who. Originally published in 1868when it was attacked as an indecent book authored by a traitorous eavesdropperbehind.
Chiaverinis book gives the impression that keckleys book was heavily edited. Stung by public criticism of her efforts to help the debtridden former first lady raise money by selling her expensive wardrobe, keckley tried to defend herself in her autobiography, behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house, which was published in new york in 1868. Elizabeth keckley white house historical association. A preface by the author, giving some background about the book and her own life. Lincoln to work as her dressmaker and became her friend and confidant.
The story of elizabeth keckley, formerslaveturnedmrs. Elizabeth hobbs keckley 18181907 was born a slave near dinwiddie court house, virginia, but purchased her freedom at the age of thirtyseven and set up a successful dressmaking business in washington, d. A slave girls story an online book by kate drumgoold pins audio old cloth audio engines of our ingenuity. Behind the scenes by elizabeth keckley free at loyal books. Theres a part at the end i ditched, a kind of invented bit where elizabeth gets into marys life before she met her filled with what mary said, did, intended and aspired to in marys words with. Behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the. She provides a unique perspective of preindustrial life in america, as well as intriguing commentary of both her white and black contemporaries. Lincoln and elizabeth both suffer terrible tragedies. Or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house. First lady mary todd lincoln and her mulatto dressmaker, elizabeth keckly. Behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house. Behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house new york.
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