David Blight Interview 11/3/19

Cambridge American History Seminar Podcast

Here is the last episode of term, and it’s a big one in every sense! Professor David Blight, the Class of 1954 Professor of American History, and Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition, Yale University, speaks to Cambridge PhD student Yasmin Dualeh about his new book ‘Frederick Douglas: Prophet of Freedom‘. Due to the richness of the book and the depth of conversation, this episode is significantly longer than our usual podcasts, but I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s absolutely worth a listen! Among the countless topics covered here, including a recap of several significant moments in Douglass’ life, Professor Blight touches on self-making through autobiography, the importance of public oratory as performance and work, and some of the interesting ways biographers have attempted to connect with their subjects. The book is widely available online and most likely in your local book store now. As of last week it is also the recipient of the Bancroft prize (for the years best books on diplomacy and the history of the Americas, which happens to be Professor Blight’s second), so you don’t have to just take my word for it when I say it is a truly incredible book. Thank you for listening this week and for the rest of Lent term. We’ll return for the final handful of seminars of the academic year beginning in late April. If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback, get in touch via @camericanist on Twitter or [e-mail]. Spread the word, and thanks for listening!