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An American Anarchist: The Life of Voltairine de Cleyre
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About An American Anarchist: The Life Of Voltairine De
Product Description When it was first published, An American Anarchist marked a trail historians of American anarchism are still following today. Narrative-driven like all of Paul Avrich’s works, it presents Voltairine de Cleyre and her fellow anarchists as complex human beings. De Cleyre (1866–1912) was the first prominent American-born anarchist. From her writings and speeches, through the illnesses that plagued her, the assassination attempt that left her clinging to life, to her early death at forty- five, she worked tirelessly for her ideal. Avrich places her squarely in her vibrant milieu, highlighting famous characters like Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman and the infamous, like Dyer D. Lum—Voltairine de Cleyre’s lover and the man who sneaked a dynamite cartridge into Louis Lingg’s cell so the accused Haymarket Martyr could die at his own hand and not the state’s. This edition includes a new introduction by historian Robert P. Helms. Review “That Voltairine de Cleyre remains a favorite historical figure of anarchists is due in large part to Paul Avrich’s seminal biography which brought her to life at a time when many of us desperately needed such a role model for feminists, anarchists, and advocates of free love alike. Avrich reveals her courage, her frailties, and her humanity on every page.” —Julie Herrada, Curator, Joseph A. Labadie Collection “An American Anarchist closes a major gap in our understanding of American anarchism and particularly a gap in our understanding of its deep roots in American radicalism. It makes the same contribution to our understanding of American feminism.” —Richard Drinnon, author of Rebel in Paradise: A Biography of Emma Goldman "Paul Avrich's book is very well researched—it fascinated me as I am sure it will fascinate many other people who are interested in the anarchist personality." —George Woodcock “An example of solid radical scholarship, making abundant use of archival records and first-person accounts to elucidate the life and work of Voltairine de Cleyre, her numerous recognizable associates, and the circles in which she was involved.... I highly recommend An American Anarchist to any reader who has an interest in nineteenth-century American and trans-Atlantic radicalism. In fact, I would also highly recommend ordering AK Press’s recent reprint of Selected Works of Voltairine de Cleyre as a companion volume. Both volumes together will leave an indelible mark on the intellectual and idealistic imaginations of their readers.” Michelle M. Campbell, Anarchist Studies Journal About the Author Paul Avrich (1931–2006) was distinguished Professor of Russian History at Queens College (CUNY). He is the author of e Haymarket Tragedy, Sacco and Vanzetti: The Anarchist Background, and Sasha and Emma: The Anarchist Odyssey of Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman, among others. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. "Nature has the habit of now and then producing a type of human being far in advance of the times; an ideal for us to emulate; a being devoid of sham, uncompromising, and to whom the truth is sacred; a being whose selfishness is so large that it takes in the human race and treats self only as one of the great mass; a being keen to sense all forms of wrong, and powerful in denunciation of it; one who can reach in the future and draw it nearer. Such a being was Voltairine de Cleyre." Jay Fox's eulogy succeeds in evoking both the unique place of Voltairine de Cleyre in the history of American anarchism and the respect which she commanded among her comrades. Rudolf Rocker, who met her in London in 1903 and visited her grave in Chicago a decade later, considered her "one of the most wonderful women that America has given the world." Max Nettlau, the foremost historian of the anarchist movement; described her as "the pearl of Anarchy," outshining her contemporaries in "libertarian feeling and artistic beauty." Marcus Graham, editor of the journal Man! ca
