Frances Wright: America’s Forgotten Radical has launched, and we have the show notes to prove it.
First, give it a listen. Find it wherever you like to cast pods here.
After you listen, here are more resources to dig into Fanny, her life, and her times. (Find our favorite books at Bookshop.org; your purchase helps support this podcast!)
Our guest Cheryl Coulthard not only has a new biography of Frances on the way (in 2026), but has a book titled Communal Societies and New Religious Movements out this year, as part of the Cambridge University Press Elements series, as well new article on Frances Wright coming out this fall in Communal Societies, the journal of the Communal Studies Society. Find out more at www.communalstudies.org.
Fanny wrote an autobiography, and there are several biographies of Frances Wright, from right after her death (Amos Gilbert) to today. They include (and Cheryl references):
-William Randall Waterman (1924; read it online here)
-A.J.G. Perkins and Theresa Wolfson (1939)
-Celia Morris Eckhart (1984; read a review from the New York Times here)
Sadly, the last two are out of print at the moment.
Cheryl mentions some important people and moments in Frances’ life, such as:
Nashoba: Nashoba was a radical idea to try to end slavery gradually, in a way that would prepare enslaved people for citizenship by providing education and skills training, while compensating enslavers for their “loss of property.” She planned to use the power of cooperation, of joint economic effort and shared property, to achieve this goal. We’ll explore this endeavor and community more in Episode 4.
Frederick Rapp and the original Harmonists: New Harmony, Indiana was built by German pietists who had escaped persecution in their homeland and come to America in the early 19th century. Frederick was the community leader George’s adopted son and “fixer,” and he and Frances had an ongoing friendship and correspondence about the economics and practical sides of community on the frontier.
Robert Owen: A wealthy philanthropist/businessman who advocated intentional communities and workers’ rights and dignity. The man behind the second iteration of the utopian experiment at New Harmony, Indiana and an influence on Frances as a speaker and activist.
There is a very cool museum in Wales dedicated to his life and impact. You can also visit New Lanark, the factory town in Scotland he worked to transform into a model community.
Speaking of New Harmony, if you’re into progressive American history, you need to visit New Harmony! You can find the marker to Frances that Tristra mentions right next to the Working Men’s Institute, the oldest continuously operating library in Indiana.
And just for fun, here’s more about the gorgeous, tranquil place Frances is buried. If you find yourself in Cincinnati, try to get to Spring Grove. You won’t regret it!
Frances Wright: America’s Forgotten Radical is a co-production of Newyear Media and Her Reputation for Accomplishment, written and hosted by Eleanor Rust and Tristra Yeager. Made possible by a grant from the Working Men's Institute, New Harmony, Indiana, and by the generosity of the Efroymson Family Fund. Thanks also to the Bloomington Area Arts Council for supporting this podcast.
Frances Wright was given voice by Emily McGee. Music by Eleanor Dubinsky. Editing and audio support by Josh Perez.