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The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

The History of Martha J. Lamb: Her Origin, Rise, and Progress.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>On June 16, 1883, <em>Harper’s Weekly</em> ran a story foreshadowing the transformation of the City of New York from the island of Manhattan to a massive metropolis, the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge. Another article on the page announced that Martha J. Lamb “has become editor of the ‘The Magazine of American History.’” It does not mention that she was also president of the company purchasing the journal. Ten years later, just a few months after her death, Mrs. Lamb’s great work, her <em>History of the City of New York</em>: <em>Its Origin, Rise, and Progress</em>, was included in the library of books sent by New York State women to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It was a fitting honor for the woman, the author, editor, and historian, who moved freely from literary club meetings in her apartment at the Coleman House to being feted at the White House.</p> <p>This biography seeks to reintroduce Martha J. Lamb (1826-1893) and give her a place among the scholars who fashioned American History, and among the women who recognized the opportunities available to them in publishing in New York in the nineteenth century. Using primary source materials, including newspapers and magazines, as well as Martha Lamb’s letters, journals, and other papers, the thesis presents the introduction and two chapters of what is imagined as the full telling of Mrs. Lamb’s life. The periods selected are just before and just after the publication of her main work, her <em>History, </em>moments of transformation for Martha Lamb, junctures at which her personal life became public.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
Master
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Liberal Studies
Grantor
The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York
Year dc:date.available
2020

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Collins, Mary
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis

Subjects

dc:subject × 10

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3545
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-4596

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
City University of New York - Graduate Center
Base URL
academicworks.cuny.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Collins, Mary. The History of Martha J. Lamb: Her Origin, Rise, and Progress.. Master thesis, The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York, 2020. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3545