Book Reviews : Edwin D. Morgan, 1811-1883: Merchant in Politics. By JAMES A. RAWLEY. (New York: Columbia University Press. 1955. Pp. 321. $5.00.)

• Published date: 01 March 1956
• DOI: 10.1177/106591295600900152
• Date: 01 March 1956
• Author: Donald Sheehan
• Subject Matter: Articles

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than will be found in almost any full-length textbook of American govern-
ment, and will undoubtedly be one of its most attractive features for those
seeking a purposive and directed text. The last chapter, entitled &dquo;The
American Political Achievement,&dquo; is equally impressive in summarizing the
vital qualities of current American democracy and some of its outstanding
problems.
ROBERT F. KARSCH.
The University of Missouri.
Edwin D. Morgan, 1811-1883
:
Merchant in Politics. By JAMES A. RAWLEY.
(New York: Columbia University Press. 1955. Pp. 321. $5.00.)
As the task of most historical writers has narrowed under the weight
of increasing resources and more compelling standards of expertness, that
of the biographer has increased. From twentieth-century sciences such as
psychology and sociology and from the widened perspective of history itself
has arisen a conception of biography which requires the writer to be a jack,
of-all-trades rather than a master of some specialized corner of the scholar’s
universe.
This is especially true when the subject of research is such a man as
Edwin D. Morgan, whose life followed the main currents of America’s
political and economic development through so many critical years. Born
in a quiet corner of the Berkshires in 1811, he moved to New York where
his imports and shipping activities reflected the rise of mercantile America.
When America turned to steam, so did Morgan; his was one of the lines
whose consolidation formed the New York Central in 1853. The Republic
can party was scarcely born when he became, in 1856, its national chair,
man. His election as governor of New York two years later looked forward
to Lincoln’s triumph in 1860. The strength and devotion which char-
acterized his gubernatorial efforts in the difficult early years of the Civil
War typified the forces which brought victory at Appomattox. A Senator
when the problems of reconstruction descended on the nation and Andrew
Johnson stood on trial, he...