Public Lives, Private Virtues

Focusing on the portrayal of American Revolutionary heroes from 1782 to 1832, the book examines how cultural shifts influenced biographical narratives and visual representations during a time of change. Historians and biographers aimed to instill classical civic virtues amidst a growing individualistic mindset. Notably, Mason Locke Weems adapted Washington's life story to appeal to readers seeking entertainment over traditional history. Magazine editors contributed by publishing both sketches and original graphic portraits, linking narratives of heroes to moral education for children, despite the era's commercial focus.