The Scotch-Irish : A Social History
by James Graham Leyburn
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Description
Dispelling much of what he terms the 'mythology' of the Scotch-Irish, James Leyburn provides an absorbing account of their heritage. He discusses their life in Scotland, when the essentials of their character and culture were shaped; their removal to Northern Ireland and the action of their residence in that region upon their outlook on life; and their successive migrations to America, where they settled especially in the back-country of Pennsylvania, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, show more and then after the Revolutionary War were in the van of pioneers to the west. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I discovered this book on a day trip to Old Salem restored early American village. Obtained the book at the Moravian Book Store. An excellent work of Scotch Irish social history; a great genealogy resource for a great number of Americans. I simply couldn't put the book down until I finished it; over a couple of days. This excellent manuscript has renewed my interest in my ancestors and the early history of Virginia and North Carolina.
I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I was into history more. I found some parts boring, but others fascinating. I much better at reading historical fiction to gain the knowledge of a particular time or place.
A partisan book written about a relatively unrecognized portion of the American populace. Another enlightening book about a people (my ancestors) that I knew little of.
An excellent resource on Scotch-Irish history and American immigration.
Excellent Scotch-Irish History
Bookshop.org 4/19/26
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91 works; 9 members
Author Information
8+ Works 595 Members
The late James G. Leyburn was professor of sociology at Washington and Lee University
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Scotch-Irish : A Social History
- Original title
- The Scotch-Irish : A Social History
- Original publication date
- 1962
- Important places
- Scotland, UK; Ireland; Ulster, Ireland; Northern Ireland, UK; USA
- First words
- The term "Scotch-Irish" is an Americanism, generally unknown in Scotland and Ireland, and rarely used by British historians.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)If one wanted a representative American of the early nineteenth century, whether east of the mountains or in the great river valleys to the west, such a representative could be found very generally among the descendants of the Scotch-Irish.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Anthropology, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 305.821073 — Society, government, & culture Social sciences, sociology & anthropology Social group - Age, Gender, Ethnicity Ethnic and national groups British, English, Anglo-Saxons People of British Isles
- LCC
- E184 .S4 .L5 — History of the United States United States Elements in the population Afro-Americans
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 570
- Popularity
- 51,844
- Reviews
- 6
- Rating
- (3.73)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 8
