Madeline Gray researching at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.
History graduate Madeline Gray ‘18 worked alongside Dr. Anne Good to complete 18th century research for her senior thesis, specifically focused on the history of food during the period. Together, Gray and Good will present their research on Feb. 13 at the first Community Gathering of 2019.
Focusing on the “long” 18th century, 1675-1800, and as a part of her work on the history of travel and exploration, Good thought to use recipe collections as primary sources for Gray’s project. This led to a trip to Washington D.C., to explore the resources of the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Good and Gray were awarded a grant through the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning, an educational program funded by the Goizueta Foundation, to complete their research in D.C. There, they studied “Mrs. Knight’s Receipt Book, 1740,” along with other secondary sources.
“Madeline had not done archival work like that before, so it was exceptionally interesting and enriching for her,” Good said. “In many ways, the project turned out to be more exciting than either of us really anticipated.”
Gray’s thesis includes detailed textual analysis on the question of who Mrs. Knight may have been, and also considers aspects of domestic history, as the book delves into more than recipes.
“She is an exceptional student,” Good said of Gray, “so I wanted her to do a project that would really allow her both to grow as a scholar and to showcase her talents—particularly since she was planning to apply to graduate programs in history.”
Good and Gray will present on Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. in the Hill Freeman Library Community Room. Together, they hope to transcribe, annotate and publish the work as the next step in their collaboration.
“Embarking on this project under the guidance of Dr. Good has been the highlight of my academic career,” said Gray, of Cumming, Ga. “I’m so honored and excited to share a part of it at the Community Gathering.”
Reinhardt’s Community Gathering series is an experience that brings together Reinhardt’s students, faculty and staff, and members of the community, for educational presentations and dialogue.
The March Community Gathering will take place on March 13, and will include a discussion on “Miners, Convicts and a CCC camp: A Brief History of Pine Log Mountain” with Dr. Donna Coffey Little.
