New Books Network Edward Stanley et. al., "A North American Tour Journal 1824-1825: The Making of a Prime Minister" (Sutton Publishing, 2025)
Sep 6, 2025
Join Caroline, the Countess of Derby, and Andrew O'Shaughnessy, a distinguished scholar on the American War of Independence, as they dive into Edward Stanley's transformative journey through North America in 1824-1825. They discuss the profound impacts of his experiences, from witnessing the harsh realities of slavery to exploring religious tolerance in Canada. The conversation also touches on the evolution of travel writing and its role in shaping British perceptions of America, highlighting how these reflections influenced Stanley's later political reform efforts.
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Romantic Banishment Sparks The Tour
- Edward Stanley was sent to North America partly as a family-imposed 'banishment' to forget a forbidden love.
- He kept secret correspondence and maintained contact with Emma through intermediaries while traveling.
Four Young MPs On An Arduous Tour
- Stanley traveled with three university friends who were also MPs: Henry Labouchere, John Dennison, and John Stuart Wortley.
- They treated the trip as a diplomatic, physically demanding tour across North America by stagecoach, steamboat, canoe, horseback, and on foot.
America As A Model For Reform
- Stanley approached America with curiosity and saw its democracy as advanced and instructive for Britain.
- He believed American institutions and practices could contribute to 19th-century British political and social reforms.
