Arts & LiteratureAmerican1962 – present

Amity Shlaes

Historian and author of 'The Forgotten Man' and 'Coolidge'

Biography

Amity Shlaes (born 1962) is an acclaimed American author, historian, and columnist whose work focuses on American economic history and biography. She earned her BA from Yale University and began her career as a financial reporter for publications including The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times. Her breakthrough book, 'The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression' (2007), offered a provocative reassessment of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies, presenting the Depression from the perspective of ordinary Americans struggling under government intervention. The book became a bestseller and established Shlaes as an important voice in conservative economic historiography. She followed this with 'Coolidge' (2013), a comprehensive biography of the 30th president that revived interest in his presidency and governing philosophy. Shlaes has also written 'Great Society: A New History' and 'Nathaniel Hawthorne: A Life' (2023). Her work is characterized by rigorous research, narrative clarity, and willingness to challenge conventional historical narratives. As a columnist and commentator, she regularly contributes to major publications and appears on broadcast media.

The Name Amity

Amity is a relatively uncommon first name in American culture, and Shlaes represents one of the few widely recognized public figures bearing it, lending the name an association with intellectual rigor and historical scholarship.

Quick Facts

Amity

Latin origin

“Derived from Latin 'amicitia,' meaning 'friendship,' Amity was popularized as an English word and virtue name during the 18th-19th centuries. The name embodies ideals of peace, goodwill, and harmonious relationships. It appeals to parents seeking meaningful, values-based names with historical literary usage in works like 'Amity Island' in contemporary culture.”