209 Considering Biography (Doing History)

Ben Franklin's World

Liz Covart

Earlyrepublic, History, Benfranklin, Society & Culture, Warforindependence, Earlyamericanrepublic, Earlyamericanhistory, Education, Colonialamerica, Americanrevolution, Ushistory, Benjaminfranklin

4.6 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 23 October 2018

⏱️ 96 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Biography. Since the earliest days of the United States, and even before the thirteen colonies came together to forge a nation, Americans have been interested in biography. But why?

What is it about the lives of others that makes the past so interesting and fun to explore?

This episode marks the start of the Omohundro Institute’s 4-episode Doing History series about biography. This series will take us behind-the-scenes of biography and how historians and biographers reconstruct the lives of people from the past.

Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/209

About the Series

The Doing History: Biography series explores the genre of biography, how it relates to and is different from the genre of history, and how historians and biographers can best uncover and understand the lives of people from the past.

The Doing History series explores early American history and how historians work. It is part of Ben Franklin’s World, which is produced by the Omohundro Institute.

Sponsor Links

Complementary Episodes

Helpful Show Links

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Ben Franklin's world is a production of the
0:02.6	O'Mohandro Institute.
0:04.0	The Life of George Washington, with curious
0:08.5	anecdotes equally honorable to himself and exemplary to his young countrymen, by Mason Lock Weems.
0:17.0	Chapter 1
0:18.0	Who, then that has a spark of virtuous curiosity, but must wish to know the history of Washington.
0:26.2	But is not his history already known?
0:29.1	Have not a thousand orators spread Washington's fame abroad, bright as his own Potomac, which he reflects the morning sun and flames like a sea of liquid gold, the wonder and delight of all the neighboring shores?
0:43.2	Yes, they have indeed spread his fame abroad.
0:46.4	His fame as Generalissimo of the armies and first president of the councils of his
0:51.7	nation. But this is not half his fame. True, he has
0:56.3	been seen in greatness, but it is only the greatness of public character which is
1:01.4	no evidence of true greatness for a public character, which is no evidence of true greatness,
1:04.0	for a public character is often an artificial one.
1:08.0	Welcome to Ben Franklin's World,
1:14.0	Podcasts About Early American History with Liz Covert.
1:18.0	The study of history is key to understanding who we are and how we can affect the better future.
1:24.2	Ben Franklin's world will introduce you to historical people and events that have impacted
1:28.8	and shaped our present day world.
1:31.2	And now here's your host, Liz Koval.
1:34.0	Hello and welcome to episode 2009 of Ben Franklin's world.
1:39.0	The podcast dedicated to helping you, learn more about how the people and events of our early American
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Liz Covart, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Liz Covart and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.