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by Catherine Kerrison
Catherine Kerrison, a professor of American history at Villanova University, has written a nuanced study of Jefferson's two white daughters, Martha (born 1772) and Maria (born 1778), and an innovative discussion of his only enslaved daughter, Harriet Hemings (born 1801). The result is a stunning book, combining detailed treatments of Martha's and Maria's experiences with imaginative attempts to reconstruct Harriet's life.
Kerrison's account of Martha and Maria include vivid descriptions of their day-to-day life, particularly in Paris, as well as of the impact of their divergent educational experiences. The book's most creative elements attempt to reconstruct, from scattered fragments, Harriet's life in slavery and freedom. And the last chapter, "Legacies," ruminates on the fate of each of the women adding a fresh, contemporary perspective.
adapted from the NY Times review
by Mary Beth Norton, January 26, 2018
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