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Nancy G. Isenberg

ナンシー・G・アイゼンバーグ

Nancy G. Isenberg

Profile

Gender
Female
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (affiliated with Louisiana State University)

Career

Occupations
historian, professor
Active Years
1980-
Affiliations
Louisiana State University, Department of History

Education

Rutgers University
Country: United States
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Country: United States

Awards

SHEAR (Society for Historians of the Early American Republic) book prize
1999
Work: Sex and Citizenship in Antebellum America
Organization: Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR)
Result: Winner
First Union International Fellowship
2003
Organization: International Center for Jefferson Studies
Result: Fellowship
Kate B. and Hall J. Peterson Fellowship
2003
Organization: American Antiquarian Society
Result: Fellowship (2003–2004)
Kate B. and Hall J. Peterson Fellowship
2007
Organization: American Antiquarian Society
Result: Fellowship (2007–2008)
Award for Best Non-Fiction Book (Oklahoma Center for the Book)
2008
Work: Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr
Organization: Oklahoma Center for the Book
Result: Winner
Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Biography)
2008
Work: Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr
Category: Biography
Organization: Los Angeles Times
Result: Finalist
Walter & Lillian Lowenfels Criticism Award
2016
Organization: Before Columbus Foundation
Result: Winner (shared)
Politico Magazine "50 Most Important Thinkers" annual list
2016
Organization: Politico Magazine
Result: Ranked #4
LSU Distinguished Research Master Award
2017
Organization: Louisiana State University
Result: Awarded
J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize
2017
Work: White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
Organization: Columbia School of Journalism and Nieman Foundation at Harvard University
Result: Finalist
PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award
2017
Work: White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
Organization: PEN Oakland
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Madison and Jefferson

2013 History (political history)

A coauthored examination of the relationship and political impact of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, exploring leadership and ideas in the early American republic.

early American historypolitical thought

Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr

2007 Biography / History

A biography of Aaron Burr that reassesses the life and political career of a controversial American figure.

biographypower and ethics

Mortal Remains: Death in Early America

2012 Cultural history / social history

A coauthored study of death rituals and their social meanings in early America, analyzing customs and changing memorial practices.

attitudes toward deathsocial history

Sex and Citizenship in Antebellum America

2000 Social history / gender history

An academic study of the relationship between sex and citizenship in antebellum America, exploring intersections of gender and public life.

gendercitizenship

White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America

2016 Social history / cultural studies

A 400-year history tracing the slur and concept of "white trash" and the development of class prejudice in American society, examining how poverty and class have been constructed.

classhistory of povertysocial inequality

The Problem of Democracy: The Presidents Adams Confront the Cult of Personality

2019 Political history

A historical study of how the Adams presidents confronted the cult of personality and issues related to democratic leadership.

democracypresidential history

Bibliography

  • Madison and Jefferson (with Andrew Burstein)
  • Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr
  • Mortal Remains: Death in Early America (with Andrew Burstein)
  • Sex and Citizenship in Antebellum America
  • White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
  • The Problem of Democracy: The Presidents Adams Confront the Cult of Personality (with Andrew Burstein)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Scholarly yet accessible prose aimed at general readersEmphasis on primary sources and logical analysis
Recurring Motifs
class and povertyearly American politics and culturegender and citizenship

Legacy

Isenberg is an influential historian in early American history and studies of class, provoking broad discussion in both academic and popular audiences. Her book "White Trash" in particular deepened public debate about concepts of class in America.

Academic Societies

  • Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR)
  • American Antiquarian Society

Archives

  • Louisiana State University library/archives (possible repository for related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • "White Trash" has been widely cited in media and public debates, sparking discussion about class.

Trivia

  • Official website: http://www.nancyisenberg.com/
  • Numerous appearances on C-SPAN
  • Ranked #4 on Politico Magazine's 2016 list of "50 Most Important Thinkers"