King of A-Shantee

King of A-Shantee large.jpg
King of A-Shantee--square.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

Description

Anti-Irish sentiment in America had dated to the early 1800s, when immigrants arrived to work on major infrastructure projects like canals and railroads. This only accelerated during the Great Famine (1845-52) and afterwards.

Frederick Opper was the child of Austrian immigrants who satirical cartoons appeared in Frank Leslie's Magazine, and later the influential spin-off Puck Magazine--where this image appeared. It references several widespread, racist stereotypes of the Irish: their simian appearance, purportedly due to genetic connections to Africans); their lazinesss; and their lack of pride in the domestic arts. Here, the "King" holds forth while his castle remains in ruins.

Creator

Opper, Frederick Burr

Publisher

Puck's Gallery of Celebrities

Date

Contributor

Format

Type

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Wood engraving

Geolocation