Writer Charles C. Calhoun, author of Longfellow: A Rediscovered Life, shows how the American poet Longfellow Henry Wadsworth blended the Federalist politics and Unitarianism of his parents' generation with the German romanticism he discovered on his own travels. Calhoun discusses Longfellow's life and his influences.
Associate director of the Boston Athenaeum John Lannon outlines the history of the Athenaeum, a leading research library founded in 1807 which houses notable artifacts from American history.
A panel of scholars responds to the second part of the PBS miniseries Slavery and the Making of America, which focuses on the Northeast, and includes the story of Mum Bett, who sued for her freedom in Massachusetts and whose victory led to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts in 1783.
Author Nathaniel Philbrick, author of Sea of Glory, describes the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842, in which six ships of explorers and scientists, commanded by Charles Wilkes, set out to explore the Pacific Ocean and eventually discovered Antarctica. Philbrick also covers the story of the whaling ship Essex's shipwreck and related shipwrecks, to lead into the story of the Exploring Expedition
Harvard Professor of Surgery Kevin R. Loughlin reviews the medical histories of presidents from George Washington to the present day. Loughlin focuses on "secret" medical problems hidden from the public and on causes of death.
Historian Robert Allison details the life of Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), the young U.S. Navy captain who became a hero of the War of 1812 and the Barbary Wars.
Audio and video options are available.
Author Nancy Schultz, author of Fire and Roses: The Burning of the Charlestown Convent, 1834, describes the burning down of a Roman Catholic convent and elite boarding school in 19th-century Boston; and discusses its causes.
Scholar Emmanuel M. Obiechina talks about his research into the recorded life stories of Africans in the U.S. and England in the 18th and 19th centuries. He focuses on relating these narratives to African literature and African history.
Video and audio options are available.
Scholar Emmanuel M. Obiechina talks about his research into the recorded life stories of Africans in the U.S. and England in the 18th and 19th centuries. He focuses on relating these narratives to African literature and African history.
Scholar Emmanuel M. Obiechina talks about his research into the recorded life stories of Africans in the U.S. and England in the 18th and 19th centuries. He focuses on relating these narratives to African literature and African history.
Video and audio options are available.