All upcoming Biography & Autobiography programs

The Declaration of Independence paints King George III as a notorious villain and justifies the Revolution as necessary to sever ties with him. In reality, says historian Patrick Allitt, he was a sober, conscientious man, serious about his limited role in Britain’s constitutional monarchy—and eager to prevent the colonial rebellion, then to defeat it when it began. Allitt revisits the story of why he failed.

John Brown, a devout Christian and fierce abolitionist, rose to prominence during “Bleeding Kansas,” fighting to keep the state free of slavery. His 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry and subsequent execution made him an international symbol of the anti-slavery movement. Though best known for Kansas and Harpers Ferry, some scholars argue that the complicated Brown helped ignite the Civil War. Historian and author Stephen Engle, author of the upcoming Reckoning with Justice: The Execution of John Brown, explores Brown’s transformation from zealot to revolutionary.

Celebrate Michelangelo’s 551st birthday by exploring the making of one of history’s most brilliant artistic minds. Born on March 6, 1475, Michelangelo Buonarroti lived nearly 89 years, witnessing Renaissance Florence, the discovery of the New World, the Reformation, and the reigns of 13 popes. He transformed Western art through sculpture, painting, architecture, and poetry. Though many believed his talent miraculous, Michelangelo studied with discipline, learning from masters and experimenting with styles. Art historian Elaine Ruffolo traces the journey of young Michelangelo from Lorenzo il Magnifico’s household to his masterpiece, the “David.” (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

As Queen Elizabeth I tightened England’s grip on Ireland, Grace O’Malley—one of the most famous woman sea captains of all time—led her country’s fight against English rule. In 1593 these powerful women met in an encounter that shaped the fate of Ireland. Historian and author Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger traces O’Malley’s remarkable life—from gaining wealth and land through marriage and battle to continuing to resist English authority.

Claude Monet created his enchanting Water Lilies series with the intention to provide an “asylum of peaceful meditation.” However, the calm and beauty of these luminous works belie the personal loss, turmoil, frustration, and anguish Monet endured in the last 15 years of his life. Author Ross King explores how, despite these travails, Monet turned to his art once again—and continued until his death in 1926. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Montgomery C. Meigs was one of the most influential yet underrated figures of 19th-century America, observes Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours. Renowned for energy, precision, and prickly determination, his legacy is stamped across the nation’s capital. As Quartermaster General of the Union Army, he supplied and equipped more than two million troops. He proposed transforming the Lee family estate at Arlington into a burial ground. Meigs oversaw the Capitol’s cast-iron dome, Washington’s aqueduct, and the Pension Office, later choosing his epitaph: “Soldier, Engineer, Architect, Scientist, Patriot.”

In the mid-20th century, three trailblazing women journalists bore witness to the great changes happening and transformed readers’ understanding of the world. Martha Gellhorn stowed away in the bathroom of a Red Cross hospital ship to report from Omaha Beach on D-Day. Emily “Mickey” Hahn filed stories from Japanese-occupied Shanghai that transported American readers into the wartime life of a Chinese family. Rebecca West interviewed the sister of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s would-be assassin in 1930s Yugoslavia and then covered the Nuremberg trials. Journalist Julia Cooke shows how these three women not only found stories that others overlooked but also pioneered new ways of telling them.

This is a landmark year for the Queen of Crime. It marks the 100th anniversary of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd—one of the world’s most famous mystery novels—the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s death, and the centennial of her sensational disappearance, a wild and headline-making chapter in her life. Author Daniel Stashower investigates Agatha Christie’s life and career and actors Scott Sedar and Bari Biern give voice to her most beloved characters. It would be a crime to miss them.

Montgomery Meigs is best known as the quartermaster general of the Union Army who played a key role during the Civil War. Less known, however, is that he also was an engineer, architect, inventor, patron of the arts, and regent of the Smithsonian. Delve into his life and legacy as you enjoy a full day of history and architecture with the Washington, D.C., area as your backdrop. Bill Keene, a lecturer in history, urban studies, and architecture, leads the tour.

From 1956 to 1969, Elvis Presley made 31 films, starring in all but one. Unfortunately, Elvis’ dream of being taken seriously as an actor was never fulfilled, thanks to the almost insatiable greed of his manager, Col. Tom Parker. Media historian Brian Rose examines the ups and downs of Presley’s Hollywood career, which started off with such promise in films such as King Creole and Jailhouse Rock.