Disaffected Loyalists and Passionate Patriots: Feelings in the Enlightenment Atlantic

In this podcast episode, Nicole O’Byrne speaks to Keith S. Grant about his book, Enthusiasms and Loyalties: The Public History of Private Feelings in the Enlightenment Atlantic published by McGill-Queen’s University Press in 2022. Grant examines the emotions of the communities in Atlantic Canada during the Enlightenment as they grappled with the turnout of the War of 1812, the Loyalist settlement in Nova Scotia, the American Revolution, and other turbulent events of the time. He refers to the journals and other public writings of key historical figures to reveal the deep feelings expressed during the time. From angry mobs to homesick immigrants, passionate patriots to disaffected loyalists, Grant explores how these “private” emotions shaped the public events of the era. Keith S. Grant is an associate professor at Crandall University, a Christian liberal arts university located in Moncton, New Brunswick. He has a PhD from the Department of History at the University of New Brunswick. Keith has won several prestigious research scholarships for his work, and he is a founding co-editor of the website Borealia: Early Canadian History. Image credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. R9266-393 Peter Winkworth Collection of Canadiana This podcast was produced by Jessica Schmidt. If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.