Includes bibliographical references and index.

A frontier childhood -- The widow and the court case -- Making her way through writing -- Mrs. Royall's travels -- A virago errant in enchanted armor -- A political woman and common scold -- The female politico as newspaper editor -- The widow of a revolutionary war officer.

"This book examines the life, reputation, and writings of Mrs. Anne Newport Royall (1769-1854) for what they can tell us about the Jacksonian era and women's roles in the period. A travel writer and newspaper editor, Royall wrote extensively about the religious and political issues of her day. She took an actively partisan line, generally as a Jacksonian, attacking both the agents of the evangelical revival and the Bank of the United States, as well as corruption in government. As a consequence of her writings and public behavior, she became highly controversial, particularly as she pushed the limits of acceptable feminine behavior. In addition to illuminating issues of concern to historians of the early American republic, the book offers a new biography of an interesting figure who has been poorly served by her biographers, not least by confusing myth with fact"--Provided by publisher.

Description based on print version record.