Civilized America

Published in 1859, Thomas Colley Grattan's work illustrates antebellum America through anecdote and reflection. Dublin-born Grattan (1791/2–1864) became a journalist and novelist after abandoning a potential military career in favour of settled life in France. In Paris Grattan contributed to literary magazines and became acquainted with various writers, including Washington Irving, to whom he dedicated his celebrated Highways and Byways (1823). After living in the Netherlands and Belgium, G...