• Spies and Counterspies: Deception, Espionage, and Treachery During the Revolutionary War- We often imagine the American Revolution as a heroic struggle for liberty won on the battlefields by patriotic citizen-soldiers against the might of the British empire. And while the battles of the war were important, another secret conflict was being fought behind the lines- the battle for military intelligence. This talk will dive into the webs of deception and intrigue, as American and British spies sought the knowledge that could bring victory in the war.

• The Great Undecided: Hayes, Tilden, and the Disputed Election of 1876- In the aftermath of the Civil War, amid the political and social turbulence of Reconstruction, deep fissures still remained in the United States. Add into the mix a scandal plagued presidency and the results were a highly contentious, disputed, and controversial election.

• The Age of Assassination: Ideology, Conspiracy and Murder in the Industrial Age, 1880-1914- Irish author George Bernard Shaw once called assassination an extreme form of censorship. During the late decades of the 19th century, as political and social changes swept across the Atlantic world, a series of high-profile assassinations captured headlines across the globe. From US presidents to European monarchs, the powerful and influential fell victim to the assassin’s bullet. This talk will explore some of the most infamous and consequential political murders of the industrial age.

• The Renaissance in Ten Masterpieces- The 15th and 16th centuries saw an intellectual and artistic flowering in Europe. Many of our greatest works of art (painting, sculpture, architecture) were created during that epoch. This talk will explore the Renaissance by examining ten of the major artistic works of the period.

• Five Rings: A Brief History of the Modern Olympics- The Olympics are a global celebration of sport. Since their revival in 1896, they have stood testament to the spirit of athletic achievement and determination, and have provided us with scenes of triumph and tragedy. This talk will explore the history and memorable moments of the Olympic Games.

• Protections and Abominations: Tariffs in US History- In 2025, the news is full of talk about tariffs and trade. Yet the discussion of tariffs is not a new one in the US. Tariffs have been a part of American policy and politics since the beginning of the Republic. This talk will explore the history of tariffs and trade in the United States from 1789 to today.

• Pontifex: The Two Thousand Year History of the Papacy- The recent election of an American pope was an exciting moment of history as Pope Leo XIV became the 266th successor of Saint Peter. Over the last two millennia, the papacy has been a position of power and influence, and the papal tiara has been worn by saints and scoundrels. The history of the papacy is a tale of faith, passion, greed and drama.

• “His Excellency”: A Brief History of the Governors of Massachusetts- The position of Chief Magistrate of Massachusetts was created in 1780 with the drafting of the Constitution of the Commonwealth. Over the next 240 years, the office has been held by distinguished, sometimes, controversial figures who have left an indelible mark on the state and the nation. This lecture will discuss the governors of the Commonwealth, from Hancock to Healey.

• The Fall of the Roman Republic: Civil War, Discord, and the Birth of Empire-With the end of the Punic Wars in the second century BCE, Rome dominated the Western Mediterranean, and was poised to expand eastward. Yet, the tremendous growth of Roman power caused social turmoil in Rome itself. The result was civil war, dictatorship, and the eventual collapse of the Roman Republic. This lecture will look at the forces that caused the transformation from Roman Republic to Roman Empire.

• The Robber Barons: Money, Power, and Greed in the Gilded Age- During the second half of the 19th century, new American elites emerged and changed the shape of business and society. The Carnegies, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and Rockefellers amassed mind-boggling fortunes through skill, ambition, and ruthlessness. These “Titans of Industry” created an American aristocracy where position and privilege were based solely on wealth, and where power and influence were freely wielded.

• The Decline of the Celestial Empire: China and the West, 1830-1911- During the mid-19th century, the Chinese Empire that existed for more than 3000 years, began to crumble under the pressures of Western incursions. By the early 20th century, the Empire had collapsed, and a Chinese Republic had emerged. This talk will look at the events that led to the end of the Qing Dynasty and the birth of modern China.

• Empires in the Americas: The New World Before Columbus- Prior to 1492, the Americas were home to many powerful and wealthy states and kingdoms. From the Mississippi River to the highlands of Mexico and the mountains of Peru, complex civilizations flourished, and empires rose and fell. The story of pre-contact America is a dramatic, complex, yet often overlooked, part of our history.