How did aging affect constructions of masculinity? In recent work on early modern manhood, English and American historians have explored this question in some depth, but have largely limited their investigations to those who were growing into manhood. However valuable, these studies have failed to ask what happened when men grew older. What did it mean to be a man as one’s children grew up, body decayed, and ability and vocation declined?

To contemplate these issues, Old Age and Masculinity in the Anglo-American World, 1600-1800 will bring together a number of previously discrete trends in recent historiography. The first goal is to build upon recent work on early modern masculinity, discussing continuity and discontinuity between the early modern and modern periods. Second, while we know much about the experience of elderly women, there has been much less work on old men; this book will examine the to begin to rectify this imbalance. Third, it will examine old age and masculinity in an Anglo-American context, looking for continuities as well as differences between England and her North American colonies.

Essays that address any aspect of masculinity and aging in the early modern period are welcome. Possible themes include:

• Sex and Sexuality
• Religion and Personal Piety
• Bodies and Disabilities
• Economic position
• Marriage and Family
• Print Culture
• Race and cross-cultural issues

The final essays should be no more than 8,000 words, including notes. Proposals are due no later than November 15, 2009. Completed essays will be due November 1, 2010.

The editors of the collection are:
• Lynn Botelho, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• John G. McCurdy, Eastern Michigan University
• Samuel S. Thomas, University of Alabama-Huntsville


Please send (email is fine) a brief CV (no more than two pages) and a chapter abstract (300-500 words) to:

Dr. Sam Thomas
Department of History
University of Alabama – Huntsville
Roberts Hall – 409
Huntsville, AL 35899
Email: Sam.Thomas@uah.edu