2022 Carl M. Buchholz Memorial Lecture with Dr. Danielle Allen

Political theorist and author Dr. Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, will join the Museum as the distinguished lecturer for the fourth Carl M. Buchholz Memorial Lecture on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Her talk will focus on her groundbreaking book Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality. Dr. Jane Kamensky, who serves on the Museum’s Board of Directors and is the Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History at Harvard University and the Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation Director of the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, will provide introductory remarks to this event hosted by Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, President & CEO.

Inspired by her work in justice and citizenship, and troubled by the fact that so few Americans actually know what the Declaration of Independence says, Allen set out to explore the arguments of the Declaration, reading it with both adult night students and University of Chicago undergraduates. Keenly aware that the Declaration is riddled with contradictions, Allen and her students nonetheless came to see that the Declaration makes a coherent and riveting argument about equality. They found not a historical text that required memorization, but an animating force that could and did transform the course of their everyday lives. In an “uncommonly elegant, incisive, and often poetic primer on America’s cardinal text,” Our Declaration now brings these insights to the general reader, illuminating the “three great themes of the Declaration: equality, liberty, and the abiding power of language” (American historian David M. Kennedy). With its cogent analysis and passionate advocacy, Our Declaration thrillingly affirms the continuing relevance of America’s founding text, ultimately revealing what democracy actually means and what it asks of us. Our Declaration was awarded the Heartland Prize, the Zócalo Book Prize, and the Society of American Historians’ Francis Parkman Prize.

The event marks the fourth Carl M. Buchholz Memorial Lecture, a series established by the generosity of the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Carl Buchholz, former vice-chairman of the Museum’s Board of Directors. The series was created to honor his public service and to explore the political thought of the American Revolution and its national relevance today. Those interested in contributing to the endowment for this annual lecture can contact [email protected].

Thank you for making it possible to offer events like this one. The purchase of an event ticket is considered a donation in support of the Museum’s educational programs. Please note that the event recording will only be available to ticketholder for 14 days following the program. The recording will be emailed to registrants after the event.

Health & Safety Note
Guests attending this program in person will be required to show proof of COVID vaccination upon entry. Original CDC vaccination cards, photos, or electronic copies of the card are all acceptable forms of documentation. Proof of a negative COVID test will not be accepted. For ticket-holders unable to provide proof of vaccination, a livestream link will be made available. Please contact the front desk at 215.253.6731 with any questions.

Please Note: General admission tickets to this event will now be online-only and are Pay What You Wish. 

About Danielle Allen