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Keeper Of The Western Door: The Life And Legacy Of Donehogawa, Or Ely S. Parker, Raphael M. Pierson-Sante

Senior Projects Spring 2023

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Social Studies of Bard College.

What Mother Meant: Maternal Competence, Medical Authority, And Memory In The Case Of Mary Bickerdyke (1820-1910), Megan Marie Vangorder

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Mary Ann Bickerdyke, a poor widowed mother from Galesburg, Illinois, cared for sick and wounded soldiers across the Western theater throughout the course of the American Civil War. As a result of her efforts, authors and historians lauded her accomplishments. Her success as a Civil War nurse and Sanitary Commission agent has been the subject of several biographies and young adult books that idealize the role of women during the war. These portrayals suggest that Mary Bickerdyke provided an example of determined professionalism during the war years.

Those histories, however, do not tell the whole story. Mary Bickerdyke’s professional journey …

Actions Above Words: A Biography Of Vice Admiral Clifton “Ziggy” Sprague, John Kirwan

Undergraduate Theses

Among the many larger than life and fascinating figures of the Second World War, one who is seldom spoken of is the late Vice Admiral Clifton A.F. "Ziggy" Sprague. A quiet man from New England, Admiral Sprague was an accomplished pilot, administrator, and commander. From service during the First World War to assisting in the testing of nuclear devices following the end of the Second World War, Sprague was a force behind the scenes. He was devoted to his profession and refused to play the political game those above him did, preferring that his actions speak greater volumes than any …

Alexander Hamilton: Underdog Or Overrated?, Caity Hatchett

Honors Theses

This thesis uses the conflicting information about Alexander Hamilton as seen in Ron Chernow's biography "Alexander Hamilton" and Jessie Serfilippi's essay "As Odious and Immoral a Thing" as a case study showing why the analysis and evaluation of historical claims is important for building the most complete historical picture.

“The Amazing Iroquois”: Haudenosaunee History In Myth And Memory, 1776–1955, John C. Winters

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project is a history and memory study of Iroquois exceptionalism. This is an idea that shaped our understanding of the Iroquois as the “most studied” Indian nation and that they, as the debunked Iroquois Influence Thesis claimed, influenced the structure and scope of the U.S. Constitution. My study examines the lives of four related (by blood and by claim) Seneca leaders: Red Jacket, Ely S. Parker, Harriet Maxwell Converse, and Arthur C. Parker. These four stand out because each was one of the most famous Native Americans of their generation who worked within and against American colonial society and …

The History Of Martha J. Lamb: Her Origin, Rise, And Progress., Mary Collins

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

On June 16, 1883, Harper’s Weekly ran a story foreshadowing the transformation of the City of New York from the island of Manhattan to a massive metropolis, the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge. Another article on the page announced that Martha J. Lamb “has become editor of the ‘The Magazine of American History.’” It does not mention that she was also president of the company purchasing the journal. Ten years later, just a few months after her death, Mrs. Lamb’s great work, her History of the City of New York: Its Origin, Rise, and Progress, was included in …

Forging With Embers: The Life And Pre-Gubernatorial Career Of Isaac Murphy, 1799-1864, Keith Joshua Lee Todd

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The gubernatorial administration of Isaac Murphy from 1864-1868, as Arkansas began emerging from the Civil War into Reconstruction, has had a thorough, if dated, examination in Arkansas historiography. However, Murphy’s life and pre-gubernatorial career, including his early political activities—being the first treasurer of Washington County, Arkansas (1836-1838), serving three terms in the Arkansas General Assembly (two in the House, 1846-1849, and one in the Senate, 1856-1857), and the totality of his action during both sessions of Arkansas’s Secession Convention (1861)—have been largely neglected. This thesis will additionally provide a biographical interpretation of Murphy necessary to fully understand his political actions—his …

Gloria Anzaldúa’S El Mundo Zurdo: The Necessity Of A Historical Assessment, Malik Raymond

Honors College Theses

This thesis revolves around Chicana lesbian feminist Gloria Anzaldúa and one of her more important theories, El Mundo Zurdo. El Mundo Zurdo was a theory that focused on the marginalized people and the need for unity amongst them; however, up to this point, no historical analysis has been done on this theory. Through piecing together information from interviews and Anzaldúa’s literature, this thesis serves as a biography of her first forty years of life to address from where the theory came and becomes a bridge to link Anzaldúa to the wider Chicana, Third World feminist, and gay and lesbian …

Queen Of The Underworld: The Biography Of Sophie Lyons (1848-1924), Barbara M. Gray

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sophie Lyons was a nineteenth-century American pickpocket, blackmailer, con-woman, and bank robber. She was raised in New York City's underworld, by Jewish immigrant parents who were criminals that trained their children to pick pockets and shoplift. "Pretty Sophie" possessed a rare combination of skill at thievery, intellect, guts and beauty and became the woman Herbert Ashbury described in Gangs of New York as, "the most notorious confidence woman America has ever produced." Newspapers around the world chronicled Sophie's exploits for more than sixty years, because her life read like a novel. Her mentor was another forgotten woman who held a …

The Subject As Subjective : Benjamin Franklin's Biographers, Alex Starr-Baier

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This Thesis is a case study in biographical subjectivity. We are taught in primary school to trust biographies, as they are meant to objective. However, the truth is each biographer brings with them their own bias, and thus leaves with their own perception of their subject. I chose to focus on Benjamin Franklin because a good example of this phenomenon. Franklin's fascinating and full life brings with it a treasure trove of biographical speculation. Each Biographer, in constructing their own version of Franklin, manipulates the facts of Franklin's life. I traced Franklin's biographical legacy through time, from the 1800's to …

The Life And Legacy Of Judge Richard S. Arnold, John Jacob Lively

Honors Theses

The world of politics entails a large variety of men and women from diverse backgrounds. Politicians range from mayors of local cities and state representatives to Congressmen and presidents. One other group that I consider to be included under the realm of politicians are those that serve in the judicial branch of the United State government. While Judges may not be labeled Republican or Democratic, the political backgrounds of appointees are some of the driving forces to decide who serves on the bench. Studying the judiciary leads to coming across some historical figures that shaped history through the opinions that …

Claudius Greer Clemmer, Doctor Of Humane Letters January 4, 1911-November 20, 2005., Sheila Breen Agen Pedersen Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While there are facts that are known about Claudius Greer Clemmer, there is much that is not known. By most accounts, he was a generous man who grew up during some of the hardest years of the Great Depression, worked to get an education, and had a successful teaching career. Clemmer worked diligently to do what he could to support himself and his family, working at two jobs. When his career track changed from teaching to business, in 1946, he experienced success in business and investments, sharing that wealth with East Tennessee State University and others. The intent of this …

Archaeological Pioneer Or Pot Hunter: The Life And Work Of Clarence Bloomfield Moore, Sarah Washam

Honors Theses

The early twentieth century bred a generation of amateur archaeologists with time on their hands and money in their pockets. Although amateurs, they made great advances in the science of archaeology. Among these archaeologists were men such as Heinrich Schliemann, who discovered the city of Troy; Howard Carter, the discoverer of the riches of King Tut's tomb; Mathew Stirling, the man who discovered the Olmec culture; Sir Arthur Evans, who discovered the Mycenae; and Hiram Bingham, who found the lost city of Machu Picchu. Most of these men were middle to upper class and thus had the money and free …

The Cobb House: A Biography Of A Place, David Alan Bagley

Honors Theses

A house is not usually thought of as a living, breathing entity, but with the inhalations of new occupants and the exhalations of old presiders, suddenly a house becomes more than brick and mortar, more than shingles and nails, more than the landscape on which it stands. From the laying of the first stone, it breathes its first breath, takes its first step; and magically, a house is constant, viable, and lives forever. How does one tell the story of such a place- a place that defines the culture of the South in general and Arkansas in particular. Perhaps one …

The Contributions Of Roger Williams To Religious Freedom And Democratic Ideals, Vicki Hubbs

Honors Theses

Roger Williams is best known as "the founder of Rhode Island." Few people realize that he was also a soldier, statesman, farmer, and preacher. Perhaps he is not well remembered because he is so hard to label. To him we owe the provisions in our government today of religious freedom and separation of church and state. Because of his new ideas and courage to express them, Roger Williams was considered a radical by many of the people of his day.

J.D. Anthony: Itinerant Minister, Billy Ray Anthony

Theses

The purpose of this paper is to relate some of the experiences which were important in the life of Reverend J.D. Anthony (b. 1825), an itinerant Methodist preacher. A section of the paper is devoted to Anthony's pioneer childhood experiences among the Indians of Alabama. An attempt has also been made to discuss the religious labors, friendships and also hostilities of the Indians that were incident to the establishment of Cherokee County, Alabama.

The Versatile W.W. Phelps: Mormon Writer, Educator, And Pioneer, Walter D. Bowen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study has been to write a biography on the life of the versatile William Wines Phelps in conjunction with his contributions to and influence on the issues and problems of Mormon Pioneer History from Kirtland, Ohio, to the Great Basin.

Prior to the year 1831, W.W. Phelps was active in the State of New York as an Anti-Masonic newspaper editor. The Anti-Masonic movement had grown out of the political enviornment that existed throughout the nation and especially in the State of New York during that period of time.

During the year of 1831, W.W. Phelps completely …

A Historical Study Of Four Famous Western Gunfighters, William F. Cheek

Master's Theses

In any argument that might arise concerning the question of who were the greatest gunfighters of all time, the qualifications of four men to this hallowed position will never be questioned. Indeed, the names of Billy the Kid (Henry McCarty), Wyatt Earp, John Henry "Doc" Holliday, and William Barclay "Bat" Masterson, have become symbols for the turbulent and lawless days of the 1870's and 1880's in the South­west. In addition each man has been raised to a position alongside Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill in the evolution of the great American legend.

What were those men really like? Is their …

Kentucky Autobiography And Kentucky Culture., William F. Keirce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to trace the historical development of autobiographical writing in Kentucky; to analyze the literary and philosophical characteristics of these works and, by this means, to divide these writings into several categories; and, finally, to reveal by an interpretation of these autobiographies, certain cultural aspects of Kentucky life and society. As thus stated, the intentions of this study are several; but, actually, all these aims are inseparably related part. of a single general problem which is to investigate Kentucky autobiographical writing as a whole in order to better understand the individual works in that literature.

Walker John Decker, Farmer, Soldier And Minister Of The Gospel, John Laws Decker

Honors Theses

A biographical piece on Walker John Decker framed through his roles as a farmer, soldier, and minister of the gospel.