Immigrant Life in New York City, 1825-1863 - Paperback

by Robert Ernst (Author)

This is a historical study of acculturation in New York City during the great wave of immigration that reshaped the city between the opening of the Erie Canal and the Civil War. Rather than focusing on a single ethnic group, Ernst reconstructs the entire ecosystem of immigrant life--their neighborhoods, institutions, politics, work, and daily struggles--showing how foreign-born New Yorkers became a defining force in the city's identity.The book weaves together demographic data, archival sources, and firsthand accounts to create a rich, detailed portrait of a city in the midst of rapid transformation.

Author Biography

Robert Ernst is professor of history emeritus at Adelphi University. He is the author of Rufus King, American Federalist, and Weakness ls a Crime: The Life of Bernarr Macfadden. He received the Kerr Prize from the New York State Historical Association for Immigrant Life in New York City.