Press/Journalists

National Archives Author Lecture Series in May and June 2003
Press Release · Thursday, April 17, 2003

Washington, DC

In May and June, the National Archives and Records Administration presents a series of lectures relating to historic maps of Washington, DC, Abraham Lincoln, and the kickoff panel discussion of a series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling on Brown v. Board of Education.

The programs are free and open to the public and will take place in Room 105 at the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. Due to limited seating in Room 105 of the National Archives Building, reservations are recommended, call the National Archives public programs line at (202) 501-5000. TDD users may call (202) 501-5404.

May

Thursday, May 15-Cartography
Professor Iris Miller will discuss her book, Washington in Maps, 1606-2000. This work contains more than 100 maps dating from the 17th century to the present. From the most splendid antique maps to the extraordinary, otherworldly satellite imagery of today, the book includes maps by Thomas Jefferson and Pierre L'Enfant; a map by Capt. John Smith from 1608; and maps by the National Capitol Planning Commission. Professor Miller is Director of Landscape Studies in the School of Architecture and Planning at the Catholic University of America. 7 p.m.

Tuesday, May 20-Biography
Patrick Maney will discuss his book Young Bob: A Biography of Robert M. La Follette, Jr. U.S. Senator "Young Bob" La Follette entered politics as a young reformer in the shadow of his legendary father, "Fighting Bob" La Follette. He made his own mark as a key architect of Roosevelt's New Deal and as a champion of labor rights and civil liberties. But in 1946 he was unexpectedly unseated by Joseph McCarthy, whose rise foreshadowed La Follette's despair and suicide in 1953. In the only full-scale biography of La Follette, Jr., and the first to exploit his voluminous collection of personal papers, Mr. Maney makes clear that "Young Bob's" story is as relevant today as it was when he died 50 years ago. 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 22-Abraham Lincoln
Frank J. Williams, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, will discuss his latest book, Judging Lincoln. Aided by 49 previously unpublished illustrations, he offers up nine of his most insightful essays as written over the past 20 years to judge Lincoln from the vantage point of the 21st century. Chief Justice Williams examines the influence of Lincoln both at home and abroad, his personal character, and his leadership abilities during the span of his career. 7 p.m.

June

Tuesday, June 3-Brown v. Board of Education 50th Anniversary
Panel Discussion - Sam Anthony will moderate a panel of guest speakers including Dr. Ishmail Conway, Dr. William E Cox, Gerard Robinson, Robert Ellis, and other historians and authors. This panel discussion launches a year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which led to the end of racial segregation in schools. 7 p.m. A reception will follow.

Thursday, June 19-Baseball
Bill Gilbert will discuss his book, The Seasons: Ten Memorable Years in Baseball and in America. A former reporter for the Washington Post, Mr. Gilbert examines how America's favorite sport merged forever with America's social history--its greatest achievements as well as its darkest hours. Mr. Gilbert is the author of over 20 books, covering politics, sports heroes, business, government, and World War II. 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 26-Nautical Tragedy
Professor Ed O'Donnell will discuss his book, Ship Ablaze: The Tragedy of the Steamboat General Slocum. On June 15, 1904, over 1,000 people--most of them women and children--lost their lives on New York City's East River when their steamboat burst into flames. Incredibly, even though more Americans died on the General Slocum than on the Titanic in 1912, it is a tragedy about which most Americans (indeed most New Yorkers) have never heard. 7 p.m.

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