An Emancipation of the Mind

”[A] bracingly original book.” – Harold Holzer - The Wall Street Journal“Matthew Stewart renders the radical philosophy of Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and John Brown with analytical precision and intellectual rigor. Stewart’s notion of ‘philosophy-in-action’ as foundational to radical abolition is a fascinating account of ideas in action, anticipating contemporary arguments over the role of philosophy and ideas in the fight for racial equality.” – Kerri K. Greenidge, author of The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family“Engaging and often surprising.” – S.C. Gwynne - The New York Times“A timely and inspiring intervention in the ongoing struggle over our history and collective identity. An Emancipation of the Mind illuminates the enduring and transformative legacy of the radical Enlightenment for the American experiment in republican self-government.” – Peter S. Onuf, author (with Annette Gordon-Reed) of Most Blessed of the Patriarchs“Enthralling, illuminating, and timely. A beautifully written, myth-busting, and eye-opening uncovering of the radical, humanistic roots of America’s best impulses toward justice and equality. A must-read for anyone who wants to fully understand not only the abolitionist movement and the nation’s struggle over slavery, but also America’s ongoing conflicts related to religion, nationalism, theology, and democracy.” – Phil Zuckerman, coauthor of Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society

Matthew Stewart is an independent philosopher and historian who has written extensively about the philosophical origins of the American republic. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and more. He is currently based in London.