The Shoemaker and the Tea Party

Memory and the American Revolution

Hardcover
$24.00 US
On sale Aug 05, 2025 | 288 Pages | 9780807018996

See Additional Formats
The extraordinary tale of how a Boston shoemaker became an enduring symbol for the American Revolution

A limited Beacon Classics edition, with a gorgeous spot gloss cover and retro, classic palette


George Robert Twelves Hewes, a Boston shoemaker who participated in such key events of the American Revolution as the Boston Massacre and the Tea Party, might have been lost to history if not for his longevity and the historical mood of the 1830's. When the Tea Party became a leading symbol of the Revolutionary ear 50 years after the actual event, this 'common man' in his nineties was 'discovered' and celebrated in Boston as a national hero.

Young pieces together this fascinating account of an ordinary person involved in extraordinary events, adding new insights about the role that individual and collective memory play in shaping our understanding of history.
Alfred F. Young is senior research fellow at the Newberry Library in Chicago and professor emeritus of history at Northern Illinois University. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

About

The extraordinary tale of how a Boston shoemaker became an enduring symbol for the American Revolution

A limited Beacon Classics edition, with a gorgeous spot gloss cover and retro, classic palette


George Robert Twelves Hewes, a Boston shoemaker who participated in such key events of the American Revolution as the Boston Massacre and the Tea Party, might have been lost to history if not for his longevity and the historical mood of the 1830's. When the Tea Party became a leading symbol of the Revolutionary ear 50 years after the actual event, this 'common man' in his nineties was 'discovered' and celebrated in Boston as a national hero.

Young pieces together this fascinating account of an ordinary person involved in extraordinary events, adding new insights about the role that individual and collective memory play in shaping our understanding of history.

Author

Alfred F. Young is senior research fellow at the Newberry Library in Chicago and professor emeritus of history at Northern Illinois University. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

Books for National Depression Education and Awareness Month

For National Depression Education and Awareness Month in October, we are sharing a collection of titles that educates and informs on depression, including personal stories from those who have experienced depression and topics that range from causes and symptoms of depression to how to develop coping mechanisms to battle depression.

Read more

Horror Titles for the Halloween Season

In celebration of the Halloween season, we are sharing horror books that are aligned with the themes of the holiday: the sometimes unknown and scary creatures and witches. From classic ghost stories and popular novels that are celebrated today, in literature courses and beyond, to contemporary stories about the monsters that hide in the dark, our list

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ History Month

For LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, we’re celebrating the shared history of individuals within the community and the importance of the activists who have fought for their rights and the rights of others. We acknowledge the varying and diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community that have shaped history and have led the way for those

Read more