2024 LECTURE SERIES: “’The Paradox of Franklin Pierce’s Politics” with Hugh Dubrelle

Both scholars and the public remember Franklin Pierce, the only person from New Hampshire elected to the American Presidency, as one of the nation’s worst chief executives, largely because he exacerbated the sectional crisis that led to the Civil War. Pierce is often portrayed as a political lightweight without strong opinions who often served the interests of others. Such an image does not recognize the political principles that guided him throughout much of his career. This talk will focus on Pierce’s political ideas, particularly his commitment to the Union, which his actions, ironically, did so much to tear asunder.

Hugh Dubrulle received his BA in History from Pomona College and his MA and PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has taught courses on modern Europe and military history in the History Department at Saint Anselm College for over twenty years. Dubrulle is the author of Ambivalent Nation: How Britain Imagined the American Civil War (LSU Press, 2018). He he is currently working on a book about the experience of Civil War soldiering in the 5th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.

Please note, the original presenters Paula Fortner and Phyllis Gagnon were regrettably unable to present the lecture on Franklin Pierce. Happily, St. Anselm College Prof. Hugh Dubrulle has accepted our invitation to deliver his own lecture that evening on the 14th President. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Program is part of the 2024 Lecture Series "Political Engagement in New Hampshire: Past and Present," and it begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Shaw Research Library of the Portsmouth Athenæum at 9 Market Square in Portsmouth, NH (unless otherwise noted). Reservations for each program are required as seating is limited. Online registration is below. If unable to keep your reservation, please call (603) 431-2538 to release the seat for someone else. NOTE: Online registration ends 24 hours before the program begins; thereafter, please call (603) 431-2538, if space is available.

Attendance is FREE for Athenæum Proprietors, Subscribers, and Friends. Guests and members of the public are welcome to attend the entire series by becoming a Friend of the Athenæum for as little as $25 per year, payable at the door. Admission to an individual program is $15.

The 2024 Lecture Series "Political Engagement in New Hampshire: Past and Present" is sponsored by Whole Wealth Management.

Image: President Franklin Pierce. Courtesy of www.whitehouse.org.