David Conrad-Pérez — Fire in the Heart of the City: The Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity - with Heather Boushey

David Conrad-Pérez discusses *Fire in the Heart of the City: The Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity*, his account of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and its lasting influence on American philanthropy. The disaster, then New York City’s worst, sparked a major struggle between wealthy bankers and social elites seeking to lead the city’s charitable response and labor organizers advocating reform for workers. Conrad-Pérez examines how a small group of charities, nearly obsolete before the fire, gained new authority to address the social and economic conditions behind the tragedy—and how the people implicated in those conditions recast themselves as experts in social welfare.

Drawing on newly available archival records, once-confidential reports, private diaries, and interviews, Conrad-Pérez explores the conflict between *New York Times* publisher Adolph Ochs and labor organizer Rose Schneiderman. He places the episode in the broader development of modern charity and considers the consequences of allowing the forces that helped create a crisis to define its solution. Conrad-Pérez will discuss the book with Heather Boushey, an economic-policy expert and professor of practice at the Kleinman Center who directs the EconClimate Lab.

When: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Admission: Free.

Seating: Seating is first come, first served.

Featured book: *Fire in the Heart of the City: The Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity* by David Conrad-Pérez.

Book availability: The hardcover is available for preorder for $35.00 and is scheduled for publication on September 1, 2026. ISBN 9781479837700.

Participants: David Conrad-Pérez, a media historian and research director at American University’s Center for Media & Social Impact, in conversation with Heather Boushey, a professor of practice at the Kleinman Center and director of its EconClimate Lab.

Accessibility: To request accommodations or ask about accessibility, email events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. Requests made closer to the event will be accommodated when possible.