Reclaims public speaking as a central cultural form of the nineteenth century Places famous speeches by Emmeline Pankhurst, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde alongside previously unpublished textsOffers a more racially, ethnically and politically varied range of speeches than ever collected beforeIncludes illustrations and suggestions for further readingsA ‘how to use this book’ section provides historical contextualisations and valuable guidance for steering classroom discussionsThis pioneering collection brings alive the world of public speaking between the American Revolution and the age of the Suffragettes. It presents over seventy speeches by a diverse range of female and male activists, politicians, tribal leaders, fugitive slaves and preachers from both sides of the Atlantic, debating the crucial issues of the day, from socialism and imperialism to slavery and women’s suffrage. Complete with detailed notes, introductions, illustrations and suggestions for further reading, it provides a unique introduction to transatlantic history and culture.