Doris Kearns Goodwin on leadership
Prize-winning historian will discuss newest book Oct. 29 at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

 

[October 23, 2018] 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will welcome renowned author Doris Kearns Goodwin on Oct. 29 for a discussion of her latest book, “Leadership in Turbulent Times.”

Her appearance, presented by the ALPLM and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, benefits the foundation’s campaign to give rare Lincoln items, such as the president’s hat and gloves, a permanent home at the presidential library.

Goodwin is the author of “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” one of the most acclaimed Lincoln books ever. She has also written extensively about Franklin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson.

Her new book, which will be published in September, draws lessons from all four men to examine the nature of leadership. Are leaders born or made? Where does ambition come from? How does adversity affect the growth of leadership?

“After five decades of studying presidential history, examining these four men through the lens of leadership allowed me to discover so many new things about them that I felt as if I was meeting them for the first time. Their stories have provided me a lifetime of joy as an historian and continue to be a source of great inspiration,” Goodwin says.

Goodwin’s appearance includes a reception from 5-6 p.m. and a public presentation at 6:30, with a variety of ticket options.  The number of tickets is limited. Visit www.PresidentLincoln. illinois.gov and click on “Special Event Reservations” to purchase tickets.

“Doris is an incredible scholar and writer, and I am very excited about her new book. It is sure to join her long list of truly amazing works that have added tremendously to our understanding and appreciation of the presidency,” said Alan Lowe, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “I am very proud that she is joining us here in Springfield.”

Foundation CEO Dr. Carla Knorowski said: “As a Life Director of our Foundation board, Doris has always been supportive of the Library and Museum and our efforts to preserve and share Abraham Lincoln’s rich and enduring legacy with the world. Doris choosing to come to the ALPLM and help us raise much-needed funds for our collection speaks to her unwavering commitment to history, Lincoln and the ALPLM. We are truly grateful.”

The foundation purchased a huge array of Lincoln artifacts and documents in 2007 on behalf of the presidential library and museum. They include Lincoln’s stovepipe hat, the gloves he carried to the theater on the night of his assassination, his presidential seal and hundreds of other items. The foundation and the presidential library are working together to raise the approximately $9.7 million dollars remaining to pay for this collection and keep it at the ALPLM.

If enough money isn’t raised, items from the collection may have to be sold. That means it would be lost to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The irreplaceable items could be split up and acquired by private collectors, off limits to the public.

Information about the collection and how to donate can be found at www.ALPLM.org.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to telling the story of America’s 16th president through old-fashioned scholarship and modern technology. It also serves as the Illinois historical library. The library maintains an unparalleled collection of Lincoln documents, photographs, artifacts and art and also has some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.

Learn more at www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov 

[Christopher Wills]