Authors to speak at Lincoln Presidential Museum

3 authors coming in July and August to discuss Civil War laws, Abraham Lincoln and 'Battle Hymn of the Republic'

[July 09, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Three authors are bringing new perspectives on the Civil War, from morality to music to legislation, to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in a series of free events this summer.

All three will sign copies of their books, speak at the library and take questions from the audience.

The summer series begins July 16 with Thomas Mackey discussing laws that contributed to the Civil War or emerged from it. They range from local measures, such as the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C., to major national changes like the 14th Amendment, which established new rights of due process and equal protection.

Mackey, a law professor at the University of Louisville, has written "A Documentary History of the Civil War Era: Volume 1, Legislative Achievements."

On July 24, John Burt visits to discuss "Lincoln's Tragic Pragmatism: Lincoln, Douglas, and Moral Conflict," which the New York Times calls "a work that every serious student of Lincoln will have to read." It presents a new interpretation of the Lincoln-Douglas debates by exploring Douglas' fundamental principle that war must be avoided, even if it meant expanding slavery, and Lincoln's principle that slavery must be contained and, in the long run, abolished.

Burt, a poet and literature professor at Brandeis University, spent 26 years writing the book. He presents an unusually nuanced view of Stephen Douglas' position that the future of slavery should be decided by popular vote.

The series of author appearances wraps up Aug. 22 with John Stauffer, co-author of "Battle Hymn of the Republic: A Biography of the Song That Marches On." The book traces the song from revival meetings to battlefields to protest marches. Civil rights historian David Blight says, "Through the story of a song, surprised readers will learn a great deal about what binds as well as divides Americans."

Stauffer, a professor of literature and African-American studies at Harvard, has also written books on radical abolitionists and the parallel lives of Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The events begin with book signings at 6 p.m., followed by the speech at 6:30. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. Visit www.presidentlincoln.illinois.gov and click on "Special event tickets and reservations."

[Text from file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]