Secondary sourceBook1905
The Federalist, entry in New International Encyclopaedia
1905
A 1905 encyclopedia article on The Federalist essays, most of which were written by Alexander Hamilton.
This encyclopedia entry explains The Federalist, the essay series for which Hamilton wrote most of the pieces.
About this source
What it is
This is an entry on The Federalist from the New International Encyclopaedia, published in New York in 1905 by Dodd, Mead and Co.
Why it matters
The Federalist was a series of essays published in 1787 and 1788 arguing for ratification of the new U.S. Constitution. The entry explains that the essays were written under the name 'Publius' by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, with Hamilton given the chief credit for starting and carrying out the project. It shows how these writings shaped public opinion during a key moment in American history.
Look closer
- Why might Hamilton and his co-authors have chosen to publish under a single pen name rather than their own?
- What does the wide circulation of The Federalist suggest about its influence on ordinary readers?
- Why does the entry note that authorship of some essays is still debated?
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