Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, David S. Heidler, Henry Clay, Jeanne T. Heidler

Review of Heidler and Heidler, Henry Clay: The Essential American

I'll confess to not liking Henry Clay all that much. Despite his efforts at political compromise to keep the Union together, he's always struck me as smarmy, and I've never bought his claim that there wasn't a "corrupt bargain" between him and John Quincy Adams in 1825, whether it was explicitly stated or not. David Heidler and … Continue reading Review of Heidler and Heidler, Henry Clay: The Essential American

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Teaching

What Do Professors Do in the Summertime? Or, Why Summer Research Funding Is Crucial

As promised, I want to discuss why summer research funding is important to me a an active researcher. I previously posted about what goes on in my professional life during the academic year. Theoretically, I am released from my duties from mid-May to mid-August. Those of you in the profession know, however, that administrative paperwork … Continue reading What Do Professors Do in the Summertime? Or, Why Summer Research Funding Is Crucial

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Cumberland University, Filson Historical Society, Slavery

Summer 2011 Research

This summer was a crucial one for the Jackson biography. Research funding from Cumberland University and the Filson Historical Society made it possible for me to finish the first draft of the biography, as well as to make progress toward completing research for a paper that I am presenting at this fall's Southern Historical Association conference. My university grant … Continue reading Summer 2011 Research

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Bobby Fischer, Chess

Bobby Fischer and Andrew Jackson: Two Peas in a Pod?

I finished reading Frank Brady's Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall-From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness last week. It's a very readable biography of the American world chess champion who captured the nation's attention in the early 1970s with his victory over Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland. Many chess experts believe … Continue reading Bobby Fischer and Andrew Jackson: Two Peas in a Pod?

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson

Old Dead White Men

I'm a little late in discovering Flocabulary, which offers an interesting take on U.S. history. The lyrics to "O.D.W.M." are clever at times, but not without controversy. The section of the song that addresses Jackson gives you a taste of why: Andrew Jackson thinks he's a tough guy, killing more Indians than there are stars … Continue reading Old Dead White Men

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, SHEAR

SHEAR 2011: Crafting Gender Identity

Birte Pfleger was unable to attend our panel because of budget cuts in the California's State University system took away travel funds. (Boo, California!) So, Sue Stanfield (University of Iowa) and I were left on our own. Cathy Kelly from the University of Oklahoma chaired and commented. Sue Stanfield's paper centered on household advice, particularly that … Continue reading SHEAR 2011: Crafting Gender Identity

Mark R. Cheathem Alexis de Tocqueville, Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage

The Hermitage’s Podcast Series: Commemorating Alexis de Tocqueville

This month's Hermitage podcast discusses one of my favorite Jacksonian-era individuals, Alexis de Tocqueville. July 29 marks the birth of Alexis de Tocqueville - a Frenchman who traveled to the United States and turned his observations on Democracy in America a landmark work. Join us as we talk to Dr. Aurelian Craiutu - Associate Professor … Continue reading The Hermitage’s Podcast Series: Commemorating Alexis de Tocqueville

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Kinship, Masculinity, SHEAR

Andrew Jackson’s Advice About Masculinity to His Male Wards

I'm looking forward to presenting at next week's Society for Historians of the Early Republic (SHEAR) meeting in Philadelphia, a conference, by the way, that does not suffer from many of these problems. I'll do my best to blog and tweet during the conference, in between attending panels and losing money to Jim Broussard and … Continue reading Andrew Jackson’s Advice About Masculinity to His Male Wards

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Election of 1828, Filson Historical Society, Slavery

My Week at the Filson

I had the privilege of spending five days at the Filson Historical Society last week. The Filson awards several fellowships and internships; I was the recipient of a one-week Filson Fellowship. If you're interested in history, you should check out the Filson's newsmagazine or become a member. At the very least, pay it a visit--you won't be disappointed. Before I recap my week, … Continue reading My Week at the Filson

Mark R. Cheathem Academic dishonesty, Andrew Jackson, Augustus Buell

Wayback Machine: Beware of Augustus C. Buell: He’s A Fraud

I'm trying to finish off the Jackson manuscript and a SHEAR conference paper, so this week, I'm revisiting my post about Augustus C. Buell. From 6 January 2011: We hear far too often today about historians who plagiarize from their peers or who fabricate data. I've written here about Michael Bellesiles, but there are certainly plenty of … Continue reading Wayback Machine: Beware of Augustus C. Buell: He’s A Fraud