Tag: Lincoln Group of DC

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Was the 1864 Election Stolen? Lincoln, McClellan, and the Eight States Whose Results are Not What They Seem

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Election of 1864, Stolen?Abraham Lincoln won reelection in 1864. Or so we remember. But the results may not be what they seem, and some of the states had questionable legitimacy. I’ll be discussing this topic in a new presentation scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

RSVP for the Zoom-only event here.

A week ago, I presented information on the incredible political upheaval that led to the 1864 election. The upheaval was so substantial that many voices were calling for the election to be postponed. Lincoln refused to postpone it, noting that:

We cannot have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.

While the conservative party (the Democrats at that time) ran a “peace” platform calling the war a failure and for breaking up the Union, the progressive party (the Republicans at the time) ran Lincoln for reelection with a War Democrat (the side of that party that also wanted to win the war) on a platform that called for winning the Civil War, restoring the Union, and calling for a Constitutional Amendment to end slavery. After I presented on those topics, my colleague, Ed Epstein, presented on the critical soldier vote, including whether they were enthusiastic Lincoln supporters or were coerced into voting for him? There is a great video of the earlier program you can watch on YouTube here.

In the new program on October 29, I’ll dig into the results of the election itself. After considerable concern that Lincoln could not win reelection, he took a second term in a landslide. But all was not what it seemed. Eight states in particular present significant insight into what was happening in the United States at the time. Three went to McClellan, two were invalidated, and three more only existed under questionable circumstances. Seriously, was Nevada even a state? And did Robert E. Lee try to disrupt the whole thing? I’ll take a look at each and what they say about the nation as a whole.

This should be a fascinating presentation and all accessible by Zoom. RSVP here for the October 29 program so we can get an approximate head count and so you can receive the Zoom link. The program begins at 6 pm Eastern Time.

[Photo by David J. Kent]

 

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is Immediate Past President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity andEdison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

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Ford’s After Hours – A Day with Lincoln in DC

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Ford's Theatre tourFord’s Theatre plays an important role in the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. It was here that Lincoln was assassinated by a slavery sympathizer and actor. Today, Ford’s does double duty as a working theater and a memorial to our 16th president. Last night I did something I had never done in all my years of going to Ford’s. I took an after-hours tour.

Called “Ford’s @ 5,” the theater has been offering a limited series of tours this summer. They begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, after the theater and museum close to the general public. And they are wonderful.

About a dozen of us gathered in the main lobby. Promptly at 5 p.m., we were escorted by Sophie, our tour guide for the evening, down the ramp and stairs into the basement museum. Using the displays as props, Sophie gave us the history of Washington in Lincoln’s time, as well as insights into Lincoln’s family, the war, and, of course, the assassination. We learned about how the unfinished dome of the Capitol became an important symbol. Lincoln wanted construction to continue even during the war to show that the work of democracy continues. We heard about the death of Willy Lincoln in 1862 and how Mary Lincoln rejuvenated the dilapidated White House (perhaps with more exuberance than funding allowed). We heard about how John Wilkes Booth stalked Lincoln around Washington, turning his kidnapping plan into a murder plan as the South was surrendering and Lincoln was voicing a desire that African Americans be allowed to vote.

And then it was time to enter the theater itself. Sophie explained the reason Lincoln attended the theatre that night, how Booth used his fame and influence to gain access to the presidential box, and how he expressed delusion and disdain for democracy as he jumped to the stage for his escape. Sophie’s narrative added important insights into the scene around us as we gazed down at the stage and across at the flag-draped box from our balcony seats. As a special treat, Elinor, another guide who was tagging along with the tour, opened up the door to the presidential box so we could each in turn get a close-up view of where Lincoln, Mary, Henry Rathbone, and Clara Harris were seated during the attack.

To top off the tour, wine and cheese was served in the lobby, giving us time to ask additional questions and chat further with Sophie and Elinor. Check the Ford’s website to see if any spots are available for future Ford’s@5 events.

The Ford’s tour wasn’t the only Lincoln I experienced that day. Prior to the tour I visited the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, a block or two up the road from Ford’s. As Wendy Swanson detailed in a post on the Lincolnian website in May, the Portrait Gallery is currently featuring a special exhibit called “Picturing the Presidents: Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes.” Early photographs of several presidents, including the four immediately preceding Lincoln, are featured with two ambrotypes of Lincoln himself. While at the Gallery, I couldn’t pass up the chance to visit with the life-size W.F.K. Travers painting of Lincoln installed a year or so ago.

Lincoln doesn’t stop there, however. Several members of the Lincoln Group of DC have already signed up for “Mister Lincoln,” a one-man show about the 16th president featuring renowned actor Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, NCIS: New Orleans, Star Trek: Enterprise). The show runs at Ford’s Theatre from September 20 through October 13, 2024.

[Photo from inside Ford’s Theatre Museum by David J. Kent, July 28, 2024; This post with additional photos was originally published at Lincolnian.org]

 

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is Immediate Past President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity andEdison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

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Fire of Genius to be Analyzed by LGDC Study Forum

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Fire of Genius and wineA funny thing happened on the last Lincoln Group of DC (LGDC) Study Forum meeting. The group selected Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America, to be the next book for study. The Study Forum group generally takes several months to review and discuss (and dissect) whichever book is under scrutiny. Over the last eleven years the group has tackled 20 books about Lincoln. This month was the final session for Kevin Peraino’s Lincoln in the World about foreign policy issues during the Civil War, which meant voting for the next book.

So, starting with the next study session, the LGDC Study Forum will read and discuss Lincoln: The Fire of Genius. I’m honored that the group felt my book was worthy of being studied.

Okay, so here is where things get weird. I have been a member of this particular Study Forum group for the last ten years. I am a vocal participant of the group, opining on this and that issue as we scour the books for insights and controversies. As a group we don’t hesitate to question whether the author has made their case. But now the book we’ll be digging into is the book I wrote. [FYI: I opted out of the vote, which nonetheless resulted in a significant majority in favor.]

On several occasions, and quite frequently in recent years, we’ve invited the author of the book to join us for the final session on his or her book. This gives us the opportunity to get further insights on their writing and research process, as well as answer some of the nagging questions we had developed over previous months. It’s a great opportunity to get more information and the authors enjoy the interaction. But, and this is a big “but,” we’ve never had the author sit in for all of the sessions, some of which can get rather contentious as different group members may not agree on interpretation or veracity of any given point. To make this “but” even more interesting, that author (aka, me) is one of the more engaged members of the group. Which puts me in the strange position of having to deal with potential criticism and/or finding that my presence inhibits some members from offering their honest feedback on the book. I’ve made it clear that I want people not to feel they can’t give the book the attention they would give any other book, but I just finished being president of the organization (and a leader of the group for a decade) and have sometimes moderated this Study Forum. Whether that has any effect on the deliberations remains to be seen.

Bottom line is that I’m a bit anxious about the decision to discuss Lincoln: The Fire of Genius. Not so much because I can’t take criticism. I know how much research I put into the book and feel confident I’ve sufficiently made and documented my case. But still, it’s a weird feeling being part of a group that will analyze a book I’ve written for several months…while I’m present. It could be an interesting experience.

The Study Forum group meets monthly, which means the next meeting is in August. That meeting will be a break from the norm as the goal is to meet in person in downtown Washington, DC for the first time since the beginning of the Covid pandemic (normally we meet virtually via Zoom). Logistics of having a remote hookup are still in the works, which is especially important given our moderator and several other regular members (we usually have about 15 people on the call) live well away from Washington, DC. Members will start to read the book and the first official meeting to begin discussion will be in September.

We’ll see how it goes.

 

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is Immediate Past President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity andEdison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

 

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Out with the Old, In with the New

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David J Kent Lincoln Memorial centennial

On Tuesday evening, May 21, 2024, I officially became “the old.” At that time, I relinquished the role of Lincoln Group of DC president, handing the gavel (figuratively, since we do not have an actual gavel) to “the new,” President Ed Epstein. In keeping with our long history, we had a peaceful transition.

I get to stay around as the Immediate Past President of LGDC. Lincoln, as you may recall, had the misfortune of being unceremoniously assassinated less than six weeks into his second term. He never got to see the organization carry on after his tenure was completed. Luckily, I will.

I walk away from the presidency after serving three years in that role. Previously, I had served two non-consecutive terms as VP of Education and Outreach sandwiched around one term as VP of Programs. I was fortunate that during my tenure the Lincoln Forum recognized with their Wendy Allen Award the Lincoln Group of DC’s eight+ decades of contributions to Lincoln scholarship. LGDC also organized, and I had the privilege to emcee, the 2022 Lincoln Memorial Centennial celebration on the National Mall. There have been tours, picnics, special programs, and many dozens of superb presentations – both at dinners and via Zoom. I have also had the opportunity to contribute articles to the Lincolnian newsletter in addition to my regular book review column for the last ten years. I have written many posts for the current website news blog and moderated or presented dozens of LGDC programs. And then there was the privilege of sharing one Saturday morning a month for the last ten years with the members of LGDC’s Study Forum as we dug deep into twenty different Lincoln books (and counting).

In short, it has been a wonderful experience.

You can read more about the Lincoln Group and the new board in an article I wrote for Lincolnian.org, from which this piece is derived.

So, what’s next for me?

To begin with, I’ll still be around the Lincoln Group as Immediate Past President. One task going forward is taking on the role of Historian. I’ll also continue to write for the website and newsletter, as well as other Lincoln organizations’ newsletters and journals. I’ll dig into the Lincoln Group’s files and write a full history. Lincoln is still my main focus for the time being.

But I’ll also be exploring the other aspects of my life that need greater attention. As I wrote in my end of year 2023 Travel Post, I will continue to travel the world. Next up is southern Africa. Next year will likely be South America. The following year, Antarctica. I’m also looking at some domestic trips. One area that I’ve been overlooking is the idea of short “excursions,” day trips to local sites or overnighter trips for slightly less local sites. Knowing me, I’m sure there will be more road trips (like the one to Maine coming up).

Then there is the writing. I mentioned in my 2023 end of year Writing Post that I was working on a book proposal, and that work in progress continues. I’ll also be putting out expanded and updated second editions of my earlier e-books as softcover print books – complete with a ton of new material. With more time, I’ll focus on getting the other partial books completed and out the door. And I already have new ideas for the next books, plus some articles for both Lincoln academic journals and popular media.

With so much more to do, I don’t expect to get bored anytime soon.

[Photo credit: Bruce Guthrie, taken at Lincoln Memorial Centennial, May 22, 2022]

 

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity andEdison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

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John C. Fremont Was a Problem

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John C. FremontOn September 5, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln had a problem, and that problem was John C. Fremont. Seeking a solution, Lincoln conferred with Commanding General of the U.S. Army Winfield Scott. He wanted some input on what to do with Fremont. Here is what I wrote up for the Lincolnian.org website:

On August 30, 1861, General John C. Fremont, who Lincoln had put in charge of the Department of the West based in Missouri, issued what effectively was martial law and a proclamation of emancipation. President Lincoln was not amused.

Fremont was not just some appointed general. He had been the first Republican nominee for president in 1856. Lincoln had supported Fremont at that time and even received 110 votes in nomination to be Fremont’s vice-presidential running mate (he lost out to William Dayton). In the 1840s, Fremont earned his nickname “The Pathfinder” by leading several expeditions to California. He also married Jesse Benton, daughter of powerful Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Fremont served in the Mexican War and was briefly the territorial governor of California, later becoming one of its first two senators. But he was also no stranger to controversy, including being court-martialed for insubordination in 1847 (later commuted to merely a dishonorable discharge by President Polk).

Fremont ran a strict operation in Missouri at the beginning of the Civil War. His proclamation included a rather problematic passage:

All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these lines shall be tried by court-martial, and, if found guilty, will be shot. The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri who shall take up arms against the United States, and who shall be directly proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, is declared to be confiscated to the public use; and their slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared free.

Lincoln quickly recognized this as a major conflict with the confiscation acts passed by Congress, not to mention that Missouri had remained in the Union even though it was a slave state. Emancipating enslaved people by edict would violate the Constitution as Lincoln (and most others) understood it. Furthermore, taking such extreme action in a loyal state would cause problems with the other border states, most especially Kentucky. As Lincoln reportedly said elsewhere, “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky.”

Finding out about Fremont’s proclamation from the newspapers, Lincoln responded in his usual deferential way asking Fremont to reconsider. Fremont replied in his usual arrogant way by telling Lincoln he (i.e., Fremont) knew better than Lincoln and if Lincoln wanted Fremont to rescind the proclamation, he would have order it. Fremont sent his response with his wife, Jesse Benton Fremont, to be personally delivered on September 8. Equally self-assured, Jesse attempted to persuade Lincoln that Fremont’s action was correct. Lincoln disagreed, and on September 11, 1861, Lincoln called Fremont’s bluff and wrote:

Your answer, just received, expresses the preference on your part, that I should make an open order for the modification, which I very cheerfully do. It is therefore ordered that the said clause of said proclamation be so modified, held, and construed, as to conform to, and not to transcend, the provisions on the same subject contained in the act of Congress entitled “An Act to confiscate property used for insurrectionary purposes” Approved, August 6. 1861; and that said act be published at length with this order. Your Obt. Servt A. LINCOLN.

Again, the rationale was clear. A general in the field may not issue proclamations that 1) are illegal in that they do not confirm to the laws, and 2) would cause tremendous national security issues that could result in the end of the United States. Not long after this incident, Lincoln sent envoys to assess the situation in Missouri. Their reports confirmed general disarray and Fremont “doing absolutely nothing.” One reported that Fremont was “wholly incompetent.” Seeing no other recourse, Lincoln removed Fremont from command. Fremont did get a second chance as commander of the forces on the Virginia and Kentucky border, but after being badly defeated in battle, Fremont eventually resigned. 

Not learning the lesson, one of Fremont’s division commanders at the time in Missouri, Major General David Hunter, also garnered President Lincoln’s castigation with his similar General Order No. 11 in May of 1862.

The rescinded Fremont proclamation was one of many factors that pulled the slavery question one way and another over the course of the next years, the culmination of factors which would lead to the end of slavery in the District of Columbia and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1862.

[Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons; This post is adapted from one written for Lincolnian.org]

 

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Happy Anniversary Lincoln Papers!

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Lincoln PapersToday, July 26, marks the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.

A year ago, Lincolnian editor and longtime Lincoln Group of DC member Wendy Swanson wrote a post on Lincolnian.org about the anniversary. It was a huge event, drawing historians from across the country to the Library of Congress to examine for the first time all the papers Robert Lincoln had held back until then. As Wendy wrote:

Robert Todd Lincoln had deposited the Lincoln Papers with the Library of Congress in 1919 and on January 23, 1923, he deeded them to the Library. The deed stipulated that the Lincoln Papers remain sealed until 21 years after his own death. He died July 26, 1926, a week before his 83rd birthday. On July 26, 1947, the Lincoln Papers were officially opened to the public.

The younger Lincoln had arranged for the organization and care of the papers shortly after his father’s assassination. At that time, he had the Lincoln Papers removed to Illinois, where Judge David Davis of Bloomington, Ill., Abraham Lincoln’s longtime associate, directed the first organization of the documents. Later, Lincoln’s presidential secretaries, John G. Nicolay and John Hay, assisted in the project. In 1874, most of the Lincoln Papers returned to Washington, D.C., and Nicolay and Hay used them in the research and writing of their 10-volume biography, Abraham Lincoln: A History (New York, 1890).

The papers encompassed over 40,000 documents detailing the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln. They included both state papers like the drafts of the Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address, as well as correspondence Lincoln had with some of the most important figures of the day. To that collection the Library of Congress has added other documents from other sources, making it a place where all Lincoln scholars have made a pilgrimage (or ten) to see original manuscripts for their research. I’ve spent quite some time there myself. For those who live far away, much of the collection has been digitized and is available online. As Wendy notes:

The Library of Congress website contains extensive information about the Lincoln Papers and Lincoln Research Resources. If you haven’t already, take time to explore these historic treasures.

Take a hop over to Lincolnian.org to read Wendy’s full article on the topic.

Before you leave, today, July 26, 2023, is also the anniversary of Robert’s death, which is what triggered the release of the Papers. I’ll have more shortly on Robert and Hildene, his summer home in Vermont, where I recently visited and toured.

[Photo from Library of Congress]

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

 

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The One Year Anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial Centennial Program

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David J Kent at the Lincoln MemorialOne year ago today I was the master of ceremonies for the centennial anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. What an experience it was.

Two recent posts on Lincolnian.org (the website of the Lincoln Group of DC, of which I am president) recounted highlights from the program. My reminiscences noted that the program was a year in the making, with me as the lead organizer but several others in the Lincoln Group using their contacts to help get some of the key participants. We were able to get the services of some of well-known Lincoln scholars, historically important speakers, a fantastic singer to highlight the evolving role of the Memorial from one of reconciliation to a symbol of the rights of all Americans, a famous actor to recite the dedicatory poem and Lincoln’s two most famous speeches, and even “The President’s Own” Marine Band.

Wendy Swanson’s newest post recalls the Lincoln Memorial Centennial as “A Shining Moment,” both for the Memorial and the Lincoln Group of DC. Whereas the sole African American participant’s speech was censored at the Jim Crow-era dedication in 1922…:

“the theme of the 2022 offering – “Building on Lincoln’s Vision of Unity and Equality” – clearly proclaimed that this event would be different. In 2022 Lincoln would be celebrated both as a unifier and as an emancipator. It was fitting and proper to do so – after all, over the years Lincoln’s Memorial has become not only a tribute to the man himself but also a symbol of social justice and equality for all.”

She noted that:

“The program executed that theme beautifully – a mixture of history, music, and inspiration but also of “calls to action.” Moreover, unlike in 1922, those gathered that morning – both the speakers and the attendees – reflected the face and diversity of America.”

In my reminiscences, I noted that:

“By all metrics, the Lincoln Memorial Centennial event was a wonderful success. We managed to pay homage to the original dedication while also correcting some of the deficiencies of that day. We also captured the continuing evolution and growth of the Memorial’s meaning to all Americans. I believe we honored Abraham Lincoln with our program and demonstrated how the Memorial will continue to be a focal point for both memory and change. It seemed altogether fitting and proper that at the end of the formal ceremonies, we invited all of those present – speakers, organizers, park rangers, audience members, and random visitors – to join us on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for a grand photo, which can be seen on our website.”

Lincoln Memorial

Looking back, the Centennial program was a lot of work on the part of many people. But it was a program that I’ll forever be proud of for how we captured the continuing and evolving meaning of the Memorial both for Lincoln’s memory and the future of all Americans.

[All photos: Bruce Guthrie]

 

Fire of Genius

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

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Long-Delayed Lincoln Memorial Renovations to Finally Start

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Lincoln Memorial statue and wreathsFinally! The long-delayed renovations to the Lincoln Memorial are about to start. My colleague in the Lincoln Group of DC, Ed Epstein, reported on the official U.S. National Park Service announcement this morning. Writing on the Lincolnian.org blog, Epstein notes:

The National Park Service in coming weeks will finally start work on long discussed and long- delayed work to vastly expand visitor space under Washington’s landmark Lincoln Memorial, by far the most visited of the capital city’s many monuments and memorials.

Most of the century-old memorial will remain open during the work, which is expected to last at least four years, the Park Service said in unveiling news of the project’s kickoff. The project was originally announced in 2016, with an $18.6 million donation from billionaire David Rubenstein, a philanthropist who has played a major role in several ventures involving historical preservation in Washington, including paying $7.5 million for repairing the Washington Memorial after a 2010 earthquake. Among other projects, he also bought an original copy of the Magna Carta from 1297 for $21.3 million and has lent it to the National Archives to put on display.

The current visitors center in the Lincoln Memorial’s basement, or undercroft, is 800 square feet. That will grow to 15,000 square feet. The project will also include new restrooms, a larger bookstore and elevator replacement work. The current bookstore is in a cramped space off the northeast corner of the memorial’s main chamber, not far from where the words of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address are carved into the wall.

The Park Service said the new visitors center will feature ceiling-to-floor glass walls that will offer a view of some of the undercroft’s arched supports, which were sunk deep into the marshy land on which the memorial was built to provide support for the massive 38,000-ton granite and marble structure. The latest trends in museum design will include an “immersive theater presentation” that will flash images of the many historic events that have taken place at the memorial onto the foundations.

Displays will explain the epic construction of the memorial and talk about how the Lincoln Memorial became the site of major civil rights demonstrations, most notably the August 1963 march on Washington, at which the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a dream” speech before a crowd of a few hundred thousand people.

“We’re essentially building a modern glass structure inside this historic space,” said Jeffrey Reinbold, superintendent of the park service’s National Mall and Memorial Parks. In an interview with the Washington Post, he added, “And all of the challenges of how visitors would move throughout the space, interact with this historic space … took a little longer than we expected” to plan.

The work is supposed to finish in 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. But given the vagaries of construction work, that could be optimistic.

Go here to read the full article by Ed Epstein on the Lincolnian.org website.

This is exciting news, and the Lincoln Group of DC will keep everyone up to date as the project progresses.

Meanwhile, my tour celebrating the release of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius continues with upcoming presentations at the Abraham Lincoln Institute’s annual symposium at Ford’s Theatre in March and the Lincoln Society of Peekskill’s annual banquet in April. You can catch any or all of the interviews and presentations I’ve done for Lincoln: The Fire of Genius. Just scroll through my Media page for events with President Lincoln’s Cottage, the Abraham Lincoln Looking for Lincoln program, my interview on The Pat Williams Show (founder of the Orlando Magic basketball team), the Our American Stories radio program, and much more. Plus, check out upcoming events.

[Photo by David J. Kent, February 12, 2023, at the annual wreath laying ceremony for Lincoln’s birthday]

Fire of Genius

 

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America is available at booksellers nationwide.

Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

 

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Up Close and Personal – The Lincolnian Interview, Part 3 (The Final Part)

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Lincoln: The Fire of GeniusI was interviewed for the summer 2022 issue of The Lincolnian, the newsletter of the Lincoln Group of DC. This is Part 3, the final part. Here is Part 1 and Part 2. The focus was on my new book, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius. The interviewer was Wendy Swanson, editor of The Lincolnian.

What’s next? Do you have plans/ideas for your next book?

I have several books in various stages of planning and writing. I’m currently scoping out a book version of my “Chasing Abraham Lincoln” blog series. The hope is to examine the soul of America through Lincoln.

And what’s next for the Lincoln Gp?  Any thoughts on future events?  What else do you want to accomplish during your presidency?

The Lincoln Group has a long history of promoting Lincoln scholarship and public education and modern communication options are helping us grow into a truly national organization. This coming year is the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, so I expect us to address that in several ways. The Group will also build closer working relationships with other Lincoln organizations in the area plus the DC school system. The country needs to learn from Lincoln, and the Lincoln Group is best positioned to help guide that learning.

Anything else you wish to add on these topics?

I was thrilled that Sidney Blumenthal agreed to write the Foreword for my book. He wrote an article on Lincoln and technology while my book proposal was circulating publishers, and his foreword is perfect for introducing the book. I was equally excited that many of Lincoln scholarship’s most renowned experts wrote back cover blurbs for me, including Harold Holzer, Michael Burlingame, scientist-turned-historian Ed Steers, former National Academy of Sciences historian Marc Rothenberg, James Cornelius, and several others. That support and confidence is extremely encouraging as the book finally makes it into stores.

Release date for the book is September 1st, but it is already available for pre-order at Rowman & Littlefield’s website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all other book outlets. It’s available as hardcover and e-book (Kindle and Nook), with hopefully a paperback to come out next year. I’ve also seen it listed by booksellers based on Canada, the UK/Europe, and Australia, so you can probably find it on shelves or online if you live in any predominantly English-speaking country worldwide. My earlier books were translated into multiple languages (Tesla even got translated into Czech), so I’m hopeful Lincoln: The Fire of Genius will be as well.

Not part of the interview, but I often get asked: What’s next?

Right now, I’m preparing for quite a few upcoming presentations, as you can see from the list on my Media page. That includes keynote speeches in January, February, March, and April of 2023. I’ve also started traveling again. I went to Iceland in early July and am scheduled for a trip to Tanzania right after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, my editor has expressed interest in getting to work on my next book. And, of course, there are plenty of Lincoln Group of DC events coming up (with more to be added soon).

Finally, a reminder: If you’ve read Lincoln: The Fire of Genius and liked it, please leave ratings and reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and elsewhere (you can copy and paste the same review if you want). It helps more people learn about the book and is very much appreciated by all authors.

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius

 

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America was released on September 1, 2022.

The book is available for purchase at all bookseller outlets. Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

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Up Close and Personal – The Lincolnian Interview, Part 2

  By

Lincoln: The Fire of GeniusIn Part 1, I noted that I was interviewed for the summer 2022 issue of The Lincolnian, the newsletter of the Lincoln Group of DC. This is Part 2. The focus was on my new book, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius. The interviewer was Wendy Swanson, editor of The Lincolnian. If you haven’t already, read Part 1 here.

What similarities does this book have with your prior work, Lincoln:  The Man Who Saved America?  And what are the differences? Did you focus on the same traits/characteristics of Lincoln here as in your previous Lincoln book or did you approach Lincoln a bit differently or see a different aspect of Lincoln the man?  

The Man Who Saved America was a general biography written for general audiences, with a graphics-oriented design to bring Lincoln’s life to a broad swath of Americans. The Fire of Genius focuses on bringing one aspect – the thread of science and technology through his life – to people who know Lincoln’s basic story already. Readers will see how much this thread helped drive Lincoln’s ambitions and place the nation on a path to modernity.

Does the book share similarities with your books on scientists/innovators (Tesla, Einstein)? How did you approach this one differently?

All my books are easy to read. Many Lincoln books are overly academic and don’t get wide readership. Like Lincoln, my goal is to make the science – and the history – accessible to the public. The book is full of deep scholarship for sure, but I present it such that people can get the most out of it without feeling like they are studying for the SAT exam.

Your first Lincoln book contained many images – will this book also?

No. The previous books were designed to appeal to those who might otherwise avoid reading biographies, including younger people drawn to rapid-fire visual cues. The text in The Fire of Genius does all the work – but it isn’t a chore to read. I use stories and anecdotes to bring the concepts to life. People will learn about science and history, but they won’t get bogged down in it.

Will you be signing copies at the September program?  At any other Lincoln related functions? Where else can we get the book? Who is the publisher?

I will have books on hand for me to personally inscribe. In addition to the September LGDC program I’ll be giving a talk at the Cosmos Club later that week. The LGDC talk will cover Lincoln’s scientific growth broadly while at the Cosmos I’ll focus more deeply on the Civil War aspects. I’ll be giving a third talk at the Arts Club focused on how art and technology blend together in Lincoln’s life. That means three completely different talks! For those who follow the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, I’ll be doing a virtual book signing with Daniel Weinberg on the release date of September 1st. The book will be available everywhere – Barnes and Noble, Amazon, independent bookstores, libraries, even Walmart. It will also be available at the Lincoln Forum bookshop in November. The publisher is Lyons Press, the trade imprint of Rowman & Littlefield.

Tell us a bit about your own background – and how your history interests, particularly that pertaining to Lincoln, and your scientific background intertwine.  What was the fire that first ignited your interest in Lincoln?  How did it take hold and grow?

My hometown billed itself as “The Birthplace of American Independence.” It was also a seacoast town where most people owned small boats and large clam rakes. So, science and history were always intertwined for me. While the science (and Jacques Cousteau) drew me into marine biology, then ecotoxicology, then regulatory consulting for my paying career, the history was always there in the background. Carl Sandburg and Jim Bishop got me hooked on Lincoln early while most in my town were focused on the Revolutionary War. I saw in Lincoln the same theme of honesty, integrity, and hard work that I was learning from my parents. I wanted to understand him more. One day about ten years ago I decided to flip the script and move the study of Lincoln to the front and do the science on the side. By that time, I had collected a thousand Lincoln books (that number is now about 1600). Given our recent history, the importance of Lincoln to today’s world can’t be overestimated.

We know you search out Lincoln sites/images when you travel.  Any recent sightings?  What sites are still on your bucket list?  Which are your favorite sites – and what did they tell you about Lincoln?  Any unexpected Lincolns?

I stopped a night in Hartford, CT in early June to check out a dozen new Lincoln-inspired statues along a riverfront park. I’ll be doing another road trip in August to visit other Lincoln-related New England sites. Probably next year I’ll road trip to see Lincoln statues in the central US.

The Lincoln Group just participated in a once-in-a-lifetime program on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  Your thoughts on that effort?  And your thoughts on reviewing the video after the fact.

Because I emceed, I didn’t get the full effect of the program until I watched the stellar C-SPAN video weeks later. The Lincoln Group of DC should feel immensely proud of the program we put together. As one person put it, “it was a sacred effort.”

Are you pleased with the message that program sent to attendees and viewers?

I’m happy that the program was both entertaining and of high substance. Rather than a simple paean to a great man and building, the speakers challenged the public to take responsibility for today’s continuing need to finish the nation’s unfinished business. Lincoln can guide us along that path. I think we did a public service as well as a re-dedication of the greater meaning of the Memorial has grown to encompass.

 

I’ll have the final bit of the interview in Part 3 to be posted shortly. Here’s Part 1 in case you missed it. The Lincolnian is the official quarterly newsletter of the Lincoln Group of DC. Lincolnian.org is the group’s website, so check it out. Membership is open to everyone who has an interest in Abraham Lincoln.

P.S. I was also interviewed by The Lincolnian in 2017 when my earlier book was released. You can read more about that book, Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, in Part 1 and Part 2.

[Photo courtesy of Rod Ross]

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius

 

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America was released on September 1, 2022.

The book is available for purchase at all bookseller outlets. Limited signed copies are available via this website. The book also listed on Goodreads, the database where I keep track of my reading. Click on the “Want to Read” button to put it on your reading list. Please leave a review if you like the book.

You also follow my author page on Facebook.

David J. Kent is President of the Lincoln Group of DC and the author of Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America.

His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.