Winch’s New Book Celebrates A Gentleman of Color
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Winch’s
New Book Celebrates A Gentleman of Color
Honoring
Women’s History Month at UMass Boston
By
Kim Trauceniek
In her fourth book, A Gentleman of Color: The Life of James Forten, published by Oxford University Press, UMass Boston history professor Julie Winch rediscovers one of the most influential African Americans of the nineteenth century. “Forten was very outspoken on the subject of slavery, alcoholism, and women’s rights,” says Winch, “but in conducting my research for the book I realized that I also needed to know how he made his money.” She adds, “I hope to restore Mr. Forten to the position that I think he deserves.”
Winch researched Forten’s life for twelve years, reflecting tremendous dedication. She says, “I would like people to look more critically and questioningly at the nature of race in the early republic.” Forten’s life was expansive. Born a free African American, he proudly served America in the Revolutionary War and made a small fortune as a sailmaker.
Publisher’s Weekly calls Winch’s scholarship “both outstanding and vital,” but Winch was particularly delighted by a comment made by actor Ossie Davis who plays the “voice” of James Forten in Lights and Liberty, a sound and light show in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. “This book” said Davis, “put me in the presence of Mr. James Forten, an African American, who in the time of slavery, was indeed a gentleman…. It was a great pleasure to have spent some time in his company.”
Winch actively lectures on the subject of African American history. Her “public scholarship” includes participation in WGBH’s series on Africans in America, for which she has served both as interviewee and as a member of the production team. Winch has been teaching at UMass Boston since 1985. art of a continuing monthly series featuring best practices at UMass Boston.