">
For more than two centuries; Edward Hyde; Viscount Cornbury--royal governor of New York and New Jersey from 1702 to 1708--has been a despised figure; whose alleged transgressions ranged from raiding the public treasury to scandalizing his subjects by parading through the streets of New York City dressed as a woman.Now; Patricia Bonomi offers a challenging reassessment of Cornbury. She explores his life and experiences to illuminate such topics as imperial political culture; gossip; Grub Street; and the climate of slander; early modern sexual culture; and constitutional perceptions in an era of reform. In a tour de force of scholarly detective work; Bonomi also reappraises the most "conclusive" piece of evidence used to indict Cornbury--a celebrated portrait; said to represent the governor in female dress; that hangs today in the New-York Historical Society. Stripping away the many layers of "the Cornbury myth;" this innovative work brings to life a fascinating man and reveals the conflicting emotions and loyalties that shaped the politics of the First British Empire."A tour de force of historical detection.--Tim Hilchey; New York Times Book Review"Bonomi's book is more than an exoneration of Cornbury. It is a case study of what she aptly calls the politics of reputation."--Edmund S. Morgan; New York Review of Books"A fascinating; authoritative glimpse into the seamy underside of imperial politics in the late Stuart era.--Timothy D. Hall; Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography"An intriguing detective story that....casts light upon the operation of political power in the past and the nature of history writing in the present.--Alan Taylor; New RepublicFor more than two centuries; Edward Hyde; Viscount Cornbury--royal governor of New York and New Jersey from 1702 to 1708--has been a despised figure whose alleged transgressions ranged from looting the colonial treasury to public cross dressing in New York City. Stripping away the many layers of "the Cornbury myth;" Patricia Bonomi offers a challenging reassessment of this fascinating figure and of the rough and tumble political culture of the First British Empire--with its muckraking press; salacious gossip; and conflicting imperial loyalties. -->
#1091086 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1995-12-11Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.01 x 6.13l; 1.44 #File Name: 0807845612400 pages
Review