Peter Way

About the Author

Peter Way is a distinguished historian specializing in the labor history of early America, with a particular focus on the grueling experiences of workers who shaped the continent's infrastructure. His research delves into the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of manual labor during the transformative canal-building era, illuminating the lives of ordinary men who toiled under harsh conditions to connect waterways and foster economic growth. Drawing from extensive archival sources, Way's scholarship challenges traditional narratives by centering the voices of the working class, revealing the human cost of progress and the resilience of those who powered it. A professor emeritus of history, he continues to influence the field through his incisive analyses and commitment to labor studies.