Men of Albemarle is a 1940 American historical romance novel by Inglis Fletcher. It was the second of what would become her twelve-book "Carolina Series." It was written and published after the first novel in the series, Raleighʻs Eden, but is set earlier.Voiles, Jane. "Among the New Books." The World (published by The San Francisco Chronicle Vol. 6 No. 23 p42. October 18 1942. Retrieved May 29 2026. It was well received and praised for its attention to historic detail."Dr. Hurley Reviews Fletcher Novel For Tuesday Study Club." News & Record Vol. LXII No. 124 Sec1 p7. November 18 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

Plot The action is set in 1710-1712 against the backdrop of Queen Anne's War, the Cary Rebellion, and the development of plantation and slave labor economy in the Province of Carolina. The novel's fictional plot revolves largely around the romance of Mary Tower, a Scottish noblewoman, and her niece Marita, as well as plantation owner Roger Mainwairing. Political turmoil back home in England causes friction between the characters and their diverging loyalties.Follin, Eleanor L. "North Carolina Had 3 Governors." Winston-Salem Journal Vol. XLI No. 44 p10. November 1 1942. Retrieved May 29 2026. Historical figures depicted include Edward Hyde and Thomas Cary.N.H. "Stormy Days of Colonies." Fort Worth Star-Telegram Vol. No. p. October 25 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

Publication Men of Albemarle went through six printings at Bobbs-Merrill, the last of which was in September 1947. It was subsequently published by Doubleday in 1951 and by Bantam in 1970 and 1980.

Development According to the The News & Observer, Fletcher had completed Men of Albemarle in July 1942 and was presently developing a follow up work. She began writing Men of Albemarle while staying at Greenville Plantation in Edenton, North Carolina in 1940, but finished the novel at her then-current home in Santa Ana, California. She drew on her experiences in British East Africa when writing developing the black enslaved characters. She also went to England and to Nassau to do original research for the novel."Inglis Fletcher Writes Novel Set in Albemarle: Author of 'Raleigh's Eden' Likes to Do Historical Works on State." The News & Observer Vol. CLIV No. 172 p3 June 21 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026."Famous Author Draws Parallel Between present And 1700's." The Wilmington Morning Star Vol. 75 No. 271 p2. July 8 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

Reception As with Fletcher's previous work, Men of Albemarle received positive reviews. The Chicago Tribune called it "a vivid and crowded story, a triple decker of intrigue, romance, and battle" and commended Fletcher's craft: "Inglis Fletcher misses noe of the tricks of costume drama. She uses lavish colors and furnishes her story richly with period details. She builds up dramatic and melodramatic scenes."Havinghurst, Walter. "Colorful Tale of Colonies in 18th Century." The Chicago Tribune Vol. CI No. 42 pp25-26. October 18 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. The Philadelphia Inquirer said that "Miss Fletcher writes with a practised [sic] heart and hand;" she handled the romantic plots with "flavor and charm" and her depiction of the Quakers made for "fascinating reading."J.J.F. "Colonists Of Carolina." The Philadelphia Inquirer Vol. 227 No. 113 p26. October 21 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

It was called "a masterful blend of history and fiction" in the Memphis Commercial Appeal: "The descriptions of the taverns and ordinaries in Carolina sound as authentic and written-on-the-spot as do Addison's coffee house essays."Franklin, Mary Mae. "History Alive In Varicolored Carolina Tale." The Commercial Appeal Vol. 108 No. 298 secIV p10. October 25 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. The Nashville Banner described it as "well above the usual run of historical novels,"E.C. "Breathless Tale." Nashville Banner Vol. LXVII No. 174 p4-X. October 28 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. the Winston-Salem Journal described it as telling "a love story with the ancient savor, beauty and gallantry of the people of the day,"Follin, Eleanor L. "North Carolina Had 3 Governors." Winston-Salem Journal Vol. XLI No. 44 p10. November 1 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. and it was called "intensely delightful and absorbing" by The Roanoke Times.Harris, Elizabeth. "Times Book Review." The Roanoke Times]] Vol. CXII No. 125 p15. November 1 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. The Atlanta Constitution "History is stirred to life as the story marches from one incident to another and threads of plot and intrigue converge into the knots of dramatic climax.""Carolina Pioneers." The Atlanta Constitution: Magazine Section Vol. LXXV No. 196 p4. December 27 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. The San Francisco Call Bulletin described it as "spirited, deftly-plotted and absorbing"E.B. "Books on Parade." The San Francisco Call Bulletin Vol. 172 No. 83 p8. November 2 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. and The Kansas City Star called it "a well told story charged with action.""Adventure and Love In Quaker Rebellion." The Kansas City Star Vol. 63 No. 51 p14. November 7 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

One dissenting review came from The Tennessean, which described it as "an indifferent piece of work" in which "the style is a bit over-frescoed, and the characterization is stilted."G.W. "Romance Of Carolina." The Tennessean Vol. 32 No. 2262 p8B. October 18 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

The United States had recently entered the Second World War and Fletcher herself commented, when promoting the book, that the public was likely to recognize the emotions of the present era in her depiction of the 18th century American colonies."Famous Author Draws Parallel Between present And 1700's." The Wilmington Morning Star Vol. 75 No. 271 p2. July 8 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. The Sanford Herald wrote that contemporary audiences might find some catharsis in Men of Albemarle: "Back of all the history and fiction woven into this long novel there is one dominant idea: freedom, the kind of freedom men are fighting for in 1942."W.E.H. "Men of Albemarle." The Sanford Herald Vol. 22 No. 123 p2. November 19 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. The Sacramento Union likewise found timely inspiration in the novel: "Religious dissension, political strife and Indian warfare stir the country, but the men of Albemarle stand firmly for liberty and justice.""Indian Warfare." The Sacramento Union Vol. 138 No. 72,149 p6B. December 6 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026. Emily Haswell of The Los Angeles Times agreed that "one is reminded on every page that all times are one time; and one is sent hurrying back to some of the most fascinating pages in American history."Haswell, Emily. "North Carolina A-borning Meets Colonial Troubles." The Los Angeles Times Vol. LXI PtIII p6. October 18 1942. Retrieved May 30 2026.

External links Men of Albemarle Review at Kirkus Reviews

References