Edward G. Lengel

Edward G. Lengel discusses Myths about George Washington.

Everybody knows that George Washington did not chop down the cherry tree, but there are thousands of other myths about the Founding Father that remain generally accepted today. Some myths are religious or political, while others spring from the minds of inventive charlatans like P.T. Barnum, who exploited the Washington legend to make his first fortune. The continuing power of these myths reflects our powerful desire to know George Washington not as a marble statue, but as a real man. In this class, we will explore the many ways we have employed our imaginations to make Washington come alive. The classes will be taught by Edward G. Lengel, editor in chief of the Papers of George Washington project and author of the new book Inventing George Washington: America's Founder in Myth and Memory. $50/VHS members; $60/nonmembers (vahistoricalsociety)… (more)

Edward G. Lengel discusses Myths about George Washington.

Everybody knows that George Washington did not chop down the cherry tree, but there are thousands of other myths about the Founding Father that remain generally accepted today. Some myths are religious or political, while others spring from the minds of inventive charlatans like P.T. Barnum, who exploited the Washington legend to make his first fortune. The continuing power of these myths reflects our powerful desire to know George Washington not as a marble statue, but as a real man. In this class, we will explore the many ways we have employed our imaginations to make Washington come alive. The classes will be taught by Edward G. Lengel, editor in chief of the Papers of George Washington project and author of the new book Inventing George Washington: America's Founder in Myth and Memory. $50/VHS members; $60/nonmembers (vahistoricalsociety)… (more)

Edward Lengel discusses Inventing George Washington: America's Founder in Myth and Memory.

In Inventing George Washington, Edward G. Lengel shows how the former president and war hero continued to serve his nation on two distinct levels after his death. The public Washington evolved into an eternal symbol as the "Father of His Country," while the private man remained at the periphery of the national vision for successive generations. As some exalted Washington, others sought to bring him down to the earth, thus creating a series of competing mythologies that depicted Washington as every imaginable sort of human being. Dr. Lengel is editor-in-chief of the Washington Papers Project and a professor of history at the University of Virginia. (vahistoricalsociety)… (more)

Edward G. Lengel discusses George Washington at War.

George Washington’s military leadership, though often described, remains little understood. Was he a Fabian warrior, dedicated to preserving his army and avoiding set-piece battles, in hopes of outlasting the British? Or was he a gambler, prone to recklessly exposing his forces in pursuit of the all-elusive final battle that would crush Britain's military might and end the war? Edward G. Lengel, author of numerous books and articles on Washington’s military career, examines these and many other questions as he explores the nature of Washington’s military leadership. Special emphasis is given to the Philadelphia and Valley Forge campaigns of 1777–78, and to facts and insights recently uncovered in the course of editing Washington’s military correspondence. This class takes place February 11 and 18 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. and costs $50 for VHS members and $60 for nonmembers. (vahistoricalsociety)… (more)