Additional Coverage:
- How the Black aristocracy of the Gilded Age ushered in a new era of education and freedom (businessinsider.com)
HBO’s “The Gilded Age” Offers a Glimpse into a Forgotten History: The Black Elite of the Late 19th Century
The final episode of the third season of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” aired on August 10th. While the show primarily focuses on the clash between old and new money in Manhattan, it also offers viewers a fascinating look into a lesser-known aspect of the era: the rise of a Black aristocracy.
The Gilded Age, a period of rapid economic growth in the late 19th century, saw the emergence of a new class of wealthy Black Americans. This rise was noted as early as 1852, when a writer, known only as “Ethiop,” observed the growing number of successful Black entrepreneurs in various fields, calling them an “aristocracy.”
Following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Black Americans seized newfound opportunities presented by industrialization and the railroad boom. Many became successful business owners, forming a “shopkeeping aristocracy” of retailers, grocers, and pharmacists. Historian Carla Peterson, author of “Black Gotham,” emphasizes the importance of this era: “After the Civil War, there was an incredible explosion of modern industry… Black families of wealth emerged in this context.”
The show’s portrayal of Peggy Scott, a young Black author and journalist, reflects this historical reality. Peggy’s family, which includes a successful pharmacist father and a talented pianist mother, is inspired by real-life figures like Julia C.
Collins, the first Black woman to publish a novel. According to Peterson, this Black elite demonstrated that they too possessed “taste, education… like other citizens.”
The stories of remarkable individuals like Thomas Downing, the “New York Oyster King,” and Pierre Toussaint, a sought-after hairdresser who used his wealth for philanthropy, further illustrate the achievements of this era. These individuals amassed considerable fortunes, despite facing significant racial barriers. Downing, for example, was a millionaire by today’s standards, yet was denied US citizenship until the day before his death in 1866.
Mary Ellen Pleasant, a self-made millionaire in San Francisco, exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of the time. Pleasant, initially employed as domestic help, shrewdly learned about investments and business from her wealthy employers. She leveraged this knowledge to build a business empire, amassing an estimated $30 million—nearly a billion dollars today.
Education played a crucial role in the upward mobility of Black Americans during this period. Historian Peterson notes the emphasis on “character,” “respectability,” and the pursuit of education. The establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) further fueled this drive for knowledge and advancement.
However, the Gilded Age was also a time of stark economic inequality. While some prospered, many Black Americans and immigrants faced poverty and harsh working conditions. Despite their achievements, even the most successful people of color encountered systemic racism and prejudice.
Despite these challenges, there were instances of interracial cooperation and alliances, as noted by Peterson. Organizations like the King’s Daughters brought together Black and white women for charitable work. These relationships, as depicted in the show’s portrayal of Peggy’s friendship with a white woman, Marian, offer a glimpse into the complexities of the era.
The legacy of the Black elite of the Gilded Age is profound. Their achievements laid the groundwork for the activism and cultural flourishing of the 20th century, including the founding of the NAACP, the publication of “The Crisis,” and the Harlem Renaissance. As Peterson emphasizes, “None of this could have happened without having had the 19th century Black elite.”