Charles Wentworth Littlefield

The Boston Brahmins, or New England Brahmins, comprised Boston's historic upper class, influential from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. They were characterized by a cultivated New England accent, association with prestigious institutions like Harvard University, and adherence to traditional British-American customs. Descendants of early English colonists, they were often identified as White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs). The term 'Brahmin caste of New England' was coined by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. in 1860, drawing a parallel to the priestly caste in Hinduism to describe old, wealthy, and elite New England families of English Protestant origin who significantly shaped American institutions and culture.

These families, often of common origin but seeking social elevation through strategic marriages, maintained a distinct culture. They emphasized personal excellence, duty, and restraint, embodying an ideal of enlightened aristocracy. This included cultivating the arts, supporting charities, and assuming community leadership roles. While often warning against avarice, many found economic success appealing. They upheld English reserve in dress and deportment, valued strong family ties, and typically belonged to Unitarian or Episcopal churches. Politically, they aligned with Federalists, Whigs, and Republicans. Their distinctive manners and elocution, along with their Anglo-American dress style, became foundational to the 'preppy' aesthetic. Many traced their lineage to colonial ruling classes or entered society through commerce and trade in the 19th century.