Overview

Thomas Downing, the son of free slaves, rose from collecting oysters to running New York City's most elegant oyster restaurant. He became New York City's early 19th-century Oyster King and a prominent reformer. Honesty, hard work, and generosity earned him respect across the color line. Downing's story is tied to the rise, fall, and revival of the oysters themselves. Exploitation was replaced by appreciation and the restoration of oyster reefs to revive the harbor. Both stories are inspiring.

Full Product Details

9798330446490

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Joanne Reitano loves New York so much that teaching and writing about it became her life's mission. As a professor at CUNY's LaGuardia Community College, she published books on the history of New York City and New York State. Now retired, she gardens and feeds birds in her small Brooklyn back yard. Family and friends provide support and joy.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available