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Exhibition Join In: Voluntary Assocations in America

Join In: Voluntary Assocations in America

Tocqueville in English

Francis Bowen (1811–1890), ed. Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859). Democracy in America, translated by Henry Reeve (1813–1895). Second edition. Cambridge [Mass.] Sever and Francis, 1863. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (008.00.00)
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Francis Bowen (1811–1890), ed. Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859). Democracy in America, translated by Henry Reeve (1813–1895). Second edition. Cambridge [Mass.] Sever and Francis, 1863. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (008.00.00)
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Tocqueville in English

Democracy in America was first translated into English by Henry Reeve, a friend of Tocqueville. The author criticized Reeve for the liberties he took with the text, including a tendency to downplay positive evaluations of democracy. Reeve, for instance, omitted Tocqueville’s chapter on civic associations. American philosopher Francis Bowen amended the translation in 1862, restoring that chapter. A variety of English language editions followed, as Tocqueville’s work settled into its status as a classic of political thought—a touchstone for reflection on American society and the habits of a people who for Tocqueville balanced democratic individualism with the practice of joining together to pursue common aims.