Dr. James Barrett, an emeritus professor of history at the University of Illinois, was a pioneer of the “bottom up” approach to American history. With his first book, "Work and Community in “The Jungle: Chicago’s Packing House Workers, 1884-1922," Professor Barrett examined the lives of everyday working people and their impact on larger historical trends. This interest continued in his four subsequent books, including "The Irish Way: Becoming American in the Multi-Ethnic City." At the time of the interview he was working on a new history of Chicago, a book that will examine the interplay of race, ethnicity, class and culture in the development of the metropolis.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 1 - Audio
Childhood, education and the 1958 Our Lady of Angels School fire
Interview Session 2 - Audio
Barrett meets his wife, graduate studies and approach to history through his books
Interview Session 3 - Audio
Barrett's working class background and teaching history at U of IL
Photos
Caption:
The graduation photo of James Barrett’s father, Thomas E. Barrett, at St. Ignatius High School. The elder Barrett became a Chicago police officer.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
This house (middle of photo with white porch) in West Humboldt Park, Chicago, was Barrett’s boyhood home. The extended Barrett family lived there in the l950s and ‘60s. The home is located a few blocks from the former site of Our Lady of Angels school, site of the infamous 1958 fire.
Where:
West Humboldt Park, Chicago, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
While visiting China in 2007 to attend the Beijing Forum, James R. and Jenny Barrett visited the Great Wall of China.
Where:
Beijing, China
When:
2007
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
James R. Barrett lectured on youth culture in the early 20th Century Chicago at a 2007 conference in Erfurt, Germany.
Where:
Erfurt, Germany
When:
2007
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
James R. Barrett in his University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign office, where he was a professor in the Department of History.
Where:
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
When:
2012
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
James R. Barrett in his University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign office in the Department of History at the time of the publication of his book “The Irish Way: Becoming American in the Multi-Ethnic City,” in 2012.
Where:
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
When:
2012
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo