A Russian-American immigrant who worked in a New York tailor shop from a young age, her life story highlights the struggles and sacrifices common among the working class at the turn of the century.

A farmer who moved westward in pursuit of independence, his life and values portrayed the agrarian class's reliance on mutualism and independence amid the challenges of farming life.

A working-class Italian immigrant in Los Angeles who believed in education as a path out of poverty, eventually achieving fame as a film director while challenging his family's values.

An immensely wealthy and philanthropic member of the upper ten, whose disdain for ostentation contrasted the lavish lifestyles of his peers, making him a "revolutionary" within his class.

A middle-class progressive reformer who focused on social issues through her work at Hull House, advocating for collective action to address societal challenges.

A fervent progressive reformer known for her extreme measures against alcohol consumption, highlighting her commitment to reshaping American society in the image of the middle class.

A U.S. president who embraced progressive causes while transcending his upper ten background, seeking harmony between different American classes during his administration.

An African-American man whose violent confrontation with police in 1900 and subsequent events underscored the volatility of race relations under Jim Crow laws.

An African-American from South Carolina whose experiences typified the survival strategies and emotional challenges faced by black communities in the Jim Crow era.

A leading African-American advocate for accommodation to segregation, emphasizing economic progress and self-help as means to uplift the black race.

An African-American sociologist and critic of Booker T. Washington's approach, Du Bois promoted political rights and envisioned a pluralist America.

An ad man who experienced a personal crisis reflective of societal unrest in the Progressive Era, leading to his eventual pursuit of a writing career.

An architect known for his "Prairie School" designs which emphasized space and freedom, disagreeing with the collective ethos of progressive reformers.

A baseball pitcher for the New York Giants who embodied Victorian virtues, making pleasure more acceptable to Americans through his sportsmanship.

An African-American heavyweight boxer whose success challenged racial boundaries, stirring anxiety over the limits of racial integration in the culture of pleasure.

A U.S. president whose initial support for progressive reforms during World War I later gave way to widespread backlash, ultimately ending the progressive movement's dominance.