Events

Historian and columnist Richard Brookhiser discusses and signs copies of his biography of John Marshall, a Revolutionary War veteran whose career as chief justice of the Supreme Court transformed American law and politics. When Marshall became the fourth chief justice of the United States in 1801, the Supreme Court was the weakest branch of the federal government. After his thirty-four-year tenure on the bench, the judicial branch was an equal power in American government. Marshall’s influence over three decades of judicial rulings touched issues involving separation of powers, slavery, Native Americans and interstate commerce. In his new biography, Brookhiser explores the life and legacy of this powerful legal mind who paved the way for the modern importance of the Supreme Court.

The talk will last about 45 minutes, followed by a book signing and refreshments. Copies of the book will be available to purchase at the event.

About the Speaker

Richard Brookhiser is a New York native who got his start in writing with an article for the National Review about anti-Vietnam War protests. A journalist with over twenty years of experience writing about news and politics, Brookhiser began exploring news-making figures from early American history with biographies of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and Abraham Lincoln. In 2008, Brookhiser was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President George W. Bush.