John A. O'Brien
Denver, Colorado
Monday, January 24, 2022
Renowned authors Allen Guelzo and Michael Burlingame will speak at this year’s Lincoln Birthday meeting. Widely regarded as among the most prominent Lincoln scholars, the two will make comments and join a discussion when the Lincoln Group and the Civil War Roundtable of the District of Columbia, hold their annual joint session honoring the 16th president on February 8 via Zoom. This will be the seventh year for the combined meeting.
Both speakers have published new books within the past year. Burlingame authored The Black Man's President: Abraham Lincoln, African Americans, and the Pursuit of Racial Equality. Burlingame’s title uses Frederick Douglass’ famous description of Lincoln, and his story builds on the compliments of other African Americans like Sojourner Truth, who said: "I never was treated by any one with more kindness and cordiality than were shown to me by that great and good man, Abraham Lincoln.” His unfailing cordiality to them, his willingness to meet with them in the White House, to honor their requests, to invite them to consult on public policy, are all the indicators that Burlingame uses to build a compelling case for Lincoln as a racial egalitarian. Professor Burlingame spoke at last year’s meeting about “Lincoln and Colonization.”
Guelzo just published Robert E. Lee: A Life. This book has been lauded as the definitive biography of the Confederate leader. The narrative follows Lee from his refined upbringing in Virginia high society, to his long career in the U.S. Army, his agonized decision to side with Virginia when it seceded from the Union, and his leadership during the Civil War. Guelzo captures Lee in all his complexity, his hypocrisy and courage, his outward calm and inner turmoil, his honor and his disloyalty.
The program on February 8 will give each man time to describe his projects and make personal observations. Most of the evening will be spent in Q & A conversation with two of the brightest scholarly lights of the Civil War era.
The Zoom link and times for this meeting are as follows:
4:00 pm ET: Social Period 4:45 pm ET: Business Agenda 5:00 pm ET: Presentation
please note that this time is earlier than usual
Meeting URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/73777333091 Or point your browser to the following link and use the Meeting ID and passcode shown below: Zoom "Join A Meeting" Page: https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 737 7733 3091 Passcode: Zoom1861
Dr. Allen C. Guelzo is Senior Research Scholar, The Council of the Humanities Director, Initiative on Politics and Statesmanship, James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.
Dr. Michael Burlingame is Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies, History Department, University of Illinois at Springfield. (Photo by Kenton Robinson, The Day (New London CT).