John Foster

09 20, 2023

Explore the pivotal year of 1863 in American history

By |2023-09-20T09:47:42-04:00September 20, 2023|

The year 1863 is a crucial one in American history. That year, the Union’s fortunes – and consequently, the nation’s future – irrevocably changed.

We’re hosting the first of two lectures about that pivotal year at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at our Main Branch.

The speakers will be our own Dr. John Foster and Dr. Todd Arrington from James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Their lecture will explore key military and political developments during the first half of the year, including the Emancipation Proclamation going into effect and the disaster in Chancellorsville.

The program is free to attend. Due to limited space, registration is required. Sign up online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 1.

Arrington is the site manager of James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor and holds a doctorate in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s also the author of The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War IIthe Cold Warthe American RevolutionThe Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.

And for more talks on Civil War history, visit our YouTube channel:

07 29, 2023

The Supreme Court: Oliver Wendell Holmes & Substantive Due Process

By |2023-07-28T12:07:27-04:00July 29, 2023|

We continue our series on the most important Supreme Court justices by spotlighting Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.: His life, Civil War service, and his jurisprudence.

Dr. John Foster also explains Holmes’s contribution to substantive due process, a legal doctrine that’s received A LOT of attention lately.

And that’s not all! You’ll also hear about Holmes getting shot through the neck, his love triangle with William James, and discover the origin of the phrase “clear and present danger.”

The two previous lectures in this series focused on Chief Justice John Marshal and The Great Dissenter, John Marshal Harlan. Both can be watched in their entirety on our YouTube channel. The series concludes in October with a lecture about Earl Warren.

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War IIthe Cold Warthe American RevolutionThe Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.

06 3, 2023

Our Supreme Court series continue with the Great Dissenter

By |2023-05-31T10:12:56-04:00June 3, 2023|

When a Supreme Court justice achieves legendary status, it’s usually for majority opinions they’ve written. However, at least one has become famous for their acumen in dissent.

John Marshall Harlan II is best known for his foresight when dissenting in Plessy v. Ferguson. Our in-house historian Dr. John Foster will lead you through Harlan’s life, jurisprudence, and historical context. See how Harlan’s opinions — even in dissent — predicted legal arguments during the Civil Rights movement 60 years later.

The first lecture in this series focused on Chief Justice John Marshal. It can be watched in its entirety on our YouTube channel.

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War IIthe Cold Warthe American RevolutionThe Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.

03 29, 2023

The Supreme Court: John Marshall & Judicial Review

By |2023-03-26T12:22:36-04:00March 29, 2023|

Our in-house historian Dr. John Foster reviews the history of the US Supreme Court by highlighting the lives and careers of its most important justices. He begins with John Marshall.

Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice in the court’s history but none of his predecessors — not even John Jay — contributed more to our country’s judicial history. Foster discusses Marshall’s life and discusses his two most crucial cases:

  1. Marbury v. Madison, which establishes the Supreme Court’s right to judicial review
  2. McCulloch v. Maryland, which defined the federal government’s powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause in the Constitution.

Foster also explains Marshall’s stance and role in the Federalist v. Democratic-Republican squabbles of our nascent nation.

Foster’s series continues in May with a lecture about John M. Harlan.

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War IIthe Cold Warthe American RevolutionThe Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.

10 22, 2022

See how the Reconstruction Amendments shaped the US Constitution

By |2022-10-19T09:19:38-04:00October 22, 2022|

Dr. Todd Arrington from James A. Garfield National Historic Site and our own Dr. John Foster discuss how the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments shaped our nation’s past and inform its present. They also explain why the amendments were necessary during (in the case of the 13th amendment) and after the Civil War. Finally, Dr. Foster provides examples of how the amendments have been subverted by narrow readings from the Supreme Court.

By the way, all of Foster’s three previous talks in this series can be viewed online:

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War IIthe Cold Warthe American RevolutionThe Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.

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