You won’t find his portrait on our currency anymore and his signature isn’t penned on the Constitution; but former statesman Albert Gallatin (1761-1849) contributed immeasurably to the formation of America. Gallatin was the first president of the council of New York University and his name lives on at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study; so it is with pride that New York University Press and the Swiss Confederation publish this new biography of Gallatin.Gallatin’s story is the opposite of the classic American immigrant tale. Born in Geneva; the product of an old and noble family and highly educated in the European tradition; Gallatin made contributions to America throughout his career that far outweighed any benefit he procured for himself. He got his first taste of politics as a Pennsylvania state representative and went on to serve in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Gallatin became the Secretary of Treasury in Jefferson’s administration and; despite being of the opposite political party to Alexander Hamilton; Gallatin fully respected his predecessor’s fiscal politics. Gallatin undertook a special diplomatic mission for President Madison; which ended the War of 1812 with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent and gave the United States its genuine independence. Gallatin continued in diplomacy as minister to France and to Great Britain; where he skillfully combined his American experience and European background. In the early 1830s; at the age of seventy; he retired from politics and commenced a new career in New York City as a banker; public figure; and intellectual. He helped establish New York University and the American Ethnological Society; became an expert in Native American ethnology and linguistics; and served as president of the New-York Historical Society. Gallatin died at age 88 and is buried in Trinity churchyard at Broadway and Wall Street.In our own day; as we look at reforming our financial system and seek to enhance America’s global image; it is well worth resurrecting Albert Gallatin’s timeless contributions to the United States; at home and abroad. Nicholas Dungan’s compelling biography reinserts this forgotten Founding Father into the historical canon and reveals the transatlantic dimensions of early American history.Co-published with the Swiss Confederation; Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
#309500 in Books Wayne State University Press 2001-06-19 2001-06-19Original language:FinnishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.12 x 6.00l; 1.59 #File Name: 0814329748544 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Detailed book about Finn history in MichiganBy Julie FI bought this as a gift for a relative that is of Finnish heritage from the UP. She said that this book is excellent.It is written for someone interested in a detailed account of the local history. It actually goes into detail about specific families. It's not for casual reading; I would describe it as a book for research.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Interesting bookBy LCInteresting book I'd recommend to people interested in the Finnishsettling in the USA. Lots to learn from this book about the politics of the time and areaand the Finnish people and their high value of their unique and high level culture.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Worth the readBy JNCPI enjoyed this book a great deal. My dad's family came from Finland to the U.P. of Michigan. It was fascinating reading the history of the Finns who migrated to the U.S.; and how they lived; reasons for coming to the U.S.; etc.
