Jeanne and David Heidler’s lecture last Wed. at The Filson Historical Society was probably the most informative McConnell Center lecture I have attended to date this year. The Heidlers, authors of “Henry Clay: The Essential American,” spoke with the audience at the First Church Christ Scientist.
The Heidlers shared bits and pieces of Clay’s life during the event, a tease of their robust biography.
David started the evening’s program speaking on the extent of Henry Clay’s influence on Abraham Lincoln.
“Most of all, though, Lincoln strained to describe Clay as a champion not only of the Union but of human freedom, from his support for Latin American and Greek independence to his advocacy of gradual emancipation of the American slaves and their colonization in Africa” (2010, p. xxi)
This quote summarizes the evening, as the Heidlers shared details about Clay’s position on Latin America and the assumption that if Clay had been elected President, America wouldn’t have gone to war in the first place.
Several audience members polled the Heidlers in a question-and-answer session. One inquired about Clay’s personal life and his relationship with his family. According to the Heidlers, Clay was a family man who loved every one of his children and his wife. Even though a venerated man, Clay could not avoid the pains of death as he lost his six daughters and a son. Others asked about Clay’s family values and his politics associations.
In conclusion, this lecture was informative and eye-opening. We certainly learn about famous leaders and their accomplishments at the McConnell Center, but we do not always learn about leaders’ character and life away from the spotlight. The Heidlers showed us how Clay was a great statesman, a strong and proud family man, a political force and an essential American.
The Heidlers shared bits and pieces of Clay’s life during the event, a tease of their robust biography.
David started the evening’s program speaking on the extent of Henry Clay’s influence on Abraham Lincoln.
“Most of all, though, Lincoln strained to describe Clay as a champion not only of the Union but of human freedom, from his support for Latin American and Greek independence to his advocacy of gradual emancipation of the American slaves and their colonization in Africa” (2010, p. xxi)
This quote summarizes the evening, as the Heidlers shared details about Clay’s position on Latin America and the assumption that if Clay had been elected President, America wouldn’t have gone to war in the first place.
Several audience members polled the Heidlers in a question-and-answer session. One inquired about Clay’s personal life and his relationship with his family. According to the Heidlers, Clay was a family man who loved every one of his children and his wife. Even though a venerated man, Clay could not avoid the pains of death as he lost his six daughters and a son. Others asked about Clay’s family values and his politics associations.
In conclusion, this lecture was informative and eye-opening. We certainly learn about famous leaders and their accomplishments at the McConnell Center, but we do not always learn about leaders’ character and life away from the spotlight. The Heidlers showed us how Clay was a great statesman, a strong and proud family man, a political force and an essential American.