The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson
Alicia K. Jackson
University Press of Mississippi
Owned by his father, Isaac Harold Anderson (1835–1906) was born a slave but went on to become a wealthy businessman, grocer, politician, publisher, and religious leader in the African American community in the state of Georgia. Elected to the state senate, Anderson replaced his white father there, and later shepherded his people as a founding member and leader of the Colored Methodist Episcopal church. Much of Anderson’s unique story has been lost to history—until now. In The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson, Jackson presents a biography of Anderson and in it a microhistory of Black religious life and politics after emancipation. Gathering together threads from salvaged details of his life, Jackson sheds light on the varied perspectives and strategies adopted by Black leaders dealing with a society that was antithetical to them and to their success.