Our resident historian Dr. John Foster will explore the origins of the US Constitution and its Bill of Rights during a series of lectures this year. He begins by discussing how ideas from the English Civil War (1642-1649) influenced America more than a century later. See how the thoughts of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Levelers like Richard Rumbold affected our Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and more!

The next lecture in his series will be Thursday, June 9, at our Main Branch. The subject will be the Convention of 1787.

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 Revolution, The Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.