Jean Elson
Jean Elson (CAS’70, SED’71) of Durham, N.H., received an MA and a PhD from Brandeis University, and is a senior lecturer emerita of sociology at the University of New Hampshire. Her new book,Gross Misbehavior and Wickedness: A Notorious Divorce in Early Twentieth-Century America (Temple University Press, 2017), tells the story of the troubled marriage and acrimonious divorce of Nina and James Walker, both members of prominent American families. The Walkers’ disputes shed light on the Progressive Era, a critical period in the evolution of American culture. The book is based on court documents, correspondence between the principals, Nina’s journal, and interviews with descendants. “It is the first book to recount what happened in this case, with several twists and a fascinating cast of characters,” Jean writes. Visit www.jeanelson.com.
From the Winter-Spring 2018 issue.