Historian Mike Wallace and His Monumental Work on New York

In 1998, the book ‘Gotham,’ authored by Mike Wallace and Edwin G. Burrows, captured the social and economic conflicts in New York City up to 1898. This work earned a Pulitzer Prize and led to the creation of two sequels. The Pulitzer committee praised the book for weaving many aspects into a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Mike Wallace, a historian who described himself as a radical, passed away in Mexico City at the age of 83. His wife, Carmen Boullosa, confirmed his death and mentioned that he had been suffering from Lewy body dementia.

Wallace’s academic journey began in the early 1960s at Columbia University, where he initially pursued pre-med studies. However, after struggling with organic chemistry, he embraced radical ideas, particularly leading up to the 1968 student protests against the Vietnam War. During these demonstrations, hundreds of students were arrested, including Wallace.

He shifted his focus to history, advocating for a ‘radical’ approach that emphasized the significance of capitalism and class distinctions. Wallace argued that traditional historical narratives often neglected the perspectives of marginalized groups such as women, Black people, and the working class.

In 1976, Wallace and Burrows received a grant of $7,000 to write a comprehensive book on the transition from feudalism to capitalism. They eventually concentrated on telling this story through the lens of New York City, covering a period of 500 years. This ambitious project marked the beginning of a lengthy scholarly endeavor.