Murder on the Mississippi: The Shocking Crimes That Shaped Abraham Lincoln
Non-Fiction at the Bryant Park Reading Room
Event Details:
Our popular outdoor lecture series is back! The New York Historical is thrilled to once again partner with the Bryant Park Reading Room to present a series of free programs in the park.
Abraham Lincoln is renowned the world over for his speeches, including the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural, but one of his first was the Lyceum Address, which helped put the obscure Illinois lawyer on the map. The speech, which condemned the trend of mob violence in the country, was inspired by three racially-motivated murders in Mississippi River towns between 1835 and 1838. Author Saladin Ambar explores the profound influence of these crimes on young Lincoln’s political and personal journey in the wake of the loss of his first love, Ann Rutledge.
Saladin Ambar is Professor of Political Science and Senior Scholar at the Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics. He is the author of several books, including Murder on the Mississippi: The Shocking Crimes That Shaped Abraham Lincoln.
This program is produced in partnership with the Bryant Park Corporation.
Location:
This program will be held at the outdoor Reading Room in Bryant Park. The Reading Room is located on the 42nd Street side of the park between 5th and 6th Avenues. Look for the yellow and white umbrellas.
Inclement Weather: In case of severe weather, please check bryantpark.org or nyhistory.org for the most up to date information. You may also contact The New York Historical’s Department of Public Programs at public.programs@nyhistory.org or 212-485-9205.
Ticket Instructions:
Free admission. No advance reservation is required. First come, first served.
