One of the most exciting moments of my first year as a doctoral student occurred as I sat in the office of my advisor, John Marszalek, and heard him say that his doctoral advisor was Vincent DeSantis. The surge of adrenaline that I felt at that moment wasn't because of DeSantis, although he was a stellar scholar in his own right, but … Continue reading My Academic Family Tree
Blog
Light Schedule This Week
With the Labor Day holiday and the upcoming Tennessee Conference of Historians later this week, the blog will be a bit lighter than usual. I will return to my regular posting schedule next week. Thanks for your understanding.
Gordon Wood Interview This Weekend
Early Republic historian Gordon Wood will be conducting a three-hour interview on Book TV on C-Span2 Sunday, Sept. 5, from Noon-3:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Viewers can e-mail questions ahead of time: booktv@c-span.org.
Andrew Jackson Donelson’s Home in Bolivar County, Mississippi
I suspect that most historians have numerous stories and images that never make it into their books. Some of them are turned into articles; most probably stay buried in research notes. In looking through old photographs, I came across some that I took in hopes of using them for the Donelson biography. I never found a way to incorporate … Continue reading Andrew Jackson Donelson’s Home in Bolivar County, Mississippi
Early Republic Photos
The National Archives recently made available 6,000 digitized images online for free. They come from the Mathew Brady Photographs of Civil War-Era Personalities and Scenes (National Archives's Local Identifier 111-B) series. If you aren't familiar with Brady, Mathew Brady (1823-1896) was one of the most prolific photographers of the nineteenth century, creating a visual documentation of the Civil War … Continue reading Early Republic Photos
The Hermitage’s Podcast Series: “The Battle of Hanging Rock”
The Hermitage premiered its podcast series this month. The first installment focuses on the 1780 Battle of Hanging Rock. Dr. Jane Landers of Vanderbilt University and Dr. Walter Edgar of the University of South Carolina are the two historians interviewed for this installment. I applaud The Hermitage for employing this type of medium to further … Continue reading The Hermitage’s Podcast Series: “The Battle of Hanging Rock”
Brutal Slave History on Maryland Plantation
The archaeological dig at the L'Hermitage plantation in Frederick County, Maryland, offers the possibility of adding to our knowledge of slavery's brutality in the Early Republic period. At the very least, it will help us better understand slavery in the Upper South. It is a story of international upheaval, racial oppression, family complexity and, perhaps, … Continue reading Brutal Slave History on Maryland Plantation
Recent Discoveries of Early Republic Sources
The Early Republic occasionally grabs the headlines. Granted, they aren't at the same type of headlines generated by the latest faux-celebrity rehab stint or screaming (as opposed to talking) head on cable news or talk radio, but a headline is a headline. For example, A document written by a federal judge 216 years ago has turned up in an unlikely place: … Continue reading Recent Discoveries of Early Republic Sources
Preservation of Fort Mims Site
Thanks to Jimmy Johnson for posting this on Facebook: The Fort Mims Restoration Association is reviewing a conceptual master plan that will eventually guide development of the northern Baldwin County archeological site. Association member Charles S. McCulloh said the group wanted to have the preliminary plan in time for the annual re-enactment of the attack … Continue reading Preservation of Fort Mims Site
The National Archives’ Treasure Hunters
As this L.A. Times article notes, you might be shocked at the number and types of documents that have been stolen from the National Archives over the years. When Paul Brachfeld took over as inspector general of the National Archives, guardian of the country's most beloved treasures, he discovered the American people were being stolen blind. The Wright Brothers 1903 … Continue reading The National Archives’ Treasure Hunters
